Opernwelt awards honor Bavarian State Opera and Mainz theater

The specialist magazine ‘Opernwelt’ has announced its annual awards following a survey of 40 international critics. The Bavarian State Opera in Munich received the award for ‘Opera Premiere of the Year’ for ‘Of One Blood’, a work by Australian composer Brett Dean concerning Elizabeth I and Mary Stuart. The production also earned recognition for its stage design by Etienne Pluss.

Other major honors include:

• Opera House of the Year: Staatstheater Mainz, recognized for its courageous and politically aware programming under the direction of Markus Müller. • Director of the Year: Claus Guth, for his work on ‘Scylla et Glaucus’ in Zurich and ‘Of One Blood’ in Munich. • Singer of the Year: Michael Spyres. • Singer of the Year (Female): Elena Stikhina. • Conductor of the Year: Thomas Guggeis. • Orchestra of the Year: Oper Frankfurt.