Opera News award winners

This is may be old news but say hello to the winners of the Opera News Awards. This award is handed to artist who have contributed to the art form. And well even if you don't like them, each of these artists have had landmark roles and stagings in Sellars' case which have defined certain operas.

Karita Mattila-best roles include Salome, Jenufa, Elsa in Lohengrin, Eva in Die Meistersingers and Leonore in Fidelio. As I mentioned in my Makropulos Case preview she is not great in Italian roles but she is bound to triumph in Janaceks masterpiece at the Met this year. So if you are not familiar with this divas voice or haven't really been convinced by her, go see Makropulos Case.

  

Anja Silja-Best Roles include Salome, Leonore in Fidelio, Marie in Wozzeck, and Kostelnicka in Jenufa. Silja has rarely come to the Met but every time she comes it is always a special occasion. She is known for her vast repertoire and vocal range which ranges from roles like the Queen of Night from the Magic flute to Brunhilde from Wagner's Ring Cycle. Unfortunately Silja will not be performing in New York this year. 









Dimitri Hvorostovsky-Best roles-Eugene Oniegin, Valentin in Faust, Posa in Don Carlo, Prince Yeletsky in the Queen of Spades, and Prince Andrei Bolkonsky in War and Peace. Known for his silver hair and is lush voice Hvorostovsky is one of the finest singing actors working in the opera world today. Presently Hvorostovsky is specializing in the Verdi repertoire and will be reprising Germont in La Traviata and singing Don Carlo in Ernani at the Met this year. For more information there will be an Ernani and Traviata preview coming soon.  



Peter Mattei-Best Roles include Figaro in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Count Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro, Pricne Yeletsky in The Queen of Spades and Shishkov in From the House of the Dead. Swedish baritone, Mattei was well known for his Mozart interpretations and today is expanding his repertoire to Bel canto, Puccini, Tchaikovsky and Verdi. This year he reprises his acclaimed account of Figaro in Il Barbiere di Siviglia. For more information check out my Barbiere di Siviglia Preview.



Peter Sellars-Best productions include Nixon in China and Dr. Atomic. Sellars has worked with all of John Adams' operas and has found unique contemporary approaches to Mozart operas such as Cosi Fan tutte. Last Year he made his Met debut in a daring production of Nixon in China.