Scottish Opera is one of the finalists at the 2020 International Opera Awards for the world premiere of Anthropocene.
Our gripping new work from composer Stuart MacRae and librettist Louise Welsh, has been shortlisted in the ‘World Premiere’ category of the prestigious awards.
Telling the story of an expeditionary team of scientists who become trapped in the frozen Arctic wastelands, Anthropocene, directed by Matthew Richardson and designed by Samal Blak, took to the stage for the first time at the Theatre Royal Glasgow in January last year.
Conducted by Scottish Opera Music Director Stuart Stratford, the superb ensemble cast included former Scottish Opera Emerging Artist Jennifer France (Ariadne auf Naxos 2018), Scottish soprano Jeni Bern and Stephen Gadd (Rigoletto 2018.). They were joined by Benedict Nelson (The Burning Fiery Furnace 2018), Mark Le Brocq (Nixon in China 2020), Paul Whelan, Anthony Gregory and Sarah Champion (Opera Highlights 2018).
The shortlist for the International Opera Awards was compiled by an impressive international jury drawn from a range of backgrounds including critics, opera directors, conductors and designers, chaired by John Allison, editor of Opera magazine (the Founding Media Partner of the Awards) and classical music critic of The Daily Telegraph.
The winners of all 18 categories will be chosen by the same creative panel and announced at a glittering Gala Event at Sadler’s Wells in London on 4 May 2020.
John Allison, chair of the Jury, said: ‘The huge number of nominations we received for the International Opera Awards is indication of the global interest in them.
‘Spanning the world, the exciting list of finalists — chosen by our truly international jury — confirm the cosmopolitan nature of the art form and bear testimony to the incredibly vibrant work done by opera companies of all sizes, everywhere.’
This year, Roberto Alagna and Aleksandra Kurzak will sing during the ceremony and broadcaster Petroc Trelawny will host the event for the fourth year, while BBC Radio 3 will again broadcast highlights from the evening shortly after the event.
The red-carpet event celebrates achievement in opera around the globe over the 2019 calendar year and recognises excellence in a wide range of categories that cover performance, design and direction as well as education and outreach.