A staggering 8 MWA Artists are among the finalists for the 2026 International Opera Awards, recognised across categories celebrating individual talent, new productions, recitals, and recordings.
Louise Alder is a finalist for Female Singer, following a standout season that saw her make her Metropolitan Opera house and role debut as Zdenka (Arabella), as well as become the first British soprano soloist in over a decade to perform at the Last Night of the BBC Proms.
Lise Davidsen, who is recognised as one of the greatest singers of our time and just opened the Metropolitan Opera’s season in a powerful role debut as Lady Macbeth (Macbeth), is nominated for the Readers’ Award, decided purely on public vote. Voting is now open.
Erin Morley and Lawrence Brownlee’s acclaimed Golden Age is shortlisted in the Recital category, following a recital tour that the pair continue to take to stages around the world by popular demand.
Two productions featuring MWA artists are finalists for New Production: the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence’s Die Frau ohne Schatten by Barrie Kosky, with Vida Miknevičiūtė as the Kaiserin, and the Metropolitan Opera’s Tristan und Isolde, featuring Lise Davidsen as Isolde and Ekaterina Gubanova as Brangäne. This new production, directed by Yuval Sharon sold out all seven of the originally scheduled performances, prompting an additional performance to be added.
A rare recording of Giordano’s rediscovered Marina, featuring Freddie De Tommaso and Mihai Damian, is shortlisted for Recording (Complete Opera).
Also shortlisted in the Recording (Complete Opera) category is Calixto Bieito’s production of Giulio Cesare (DVD). Bieito’s staging explores themes of human nature, power and desire, delving into the characters’ deepest motivations.
Congratulations to all our artists and everyone involved in these projects. The winners will be announced at the International Opera Awards ceremony in Vienna on 21 November 2026.