The world of opera turned its gaze to Athens as the 2025 International Opera Awards unfolded at the Greek National Opera (GNO), in the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center — marking the first time the event was held in Greece. Broadcast live worldwide via OperaVision, the glittering ceremony celebrated excellence across the operatic spectrum, from performance and direction to innovation and sustainability.
Selected from more than 14,000 nominations spanning 25 countries, this year’s winners represented the global diversity and vitality of the art form. Hosted by BBC Radio 3 presenter Petroc Trelawny, the evening brought together stars, creators, and institutions shaping opera’s future.
Renowned Greek mezzo-soprano Agnes Baltsa greets the audience with a wave after being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Opera Awards, held at the Greek National Opera, in Athens, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
A Night of Greek Spirit and Global Glamor
In a celebration of Greek musical heritage, the evening featured works by Spyros Samaras, Pavlos Carrer, Theofrastos Sakellaridis, Nikos Skalkottas, Mikis Theodorakis, and Giorgos Koumendakis, performed by GNO’s acclaimed soloists Dimitris Platanias, Vassiliki Karagianni, Yannis Christopoulos, and Maria Kosovitsa, alongside the Orchestra, Chorus, Ballet, and Children’s Chorus of the Greek National Opera under the baton of Konstantinos Terzakis.
The artistic direction and staging were crafted by Konstantinos Rigos, GNO Ballet Director, in collaboration with Katerina Petsatodi, bringing together music, movement, and visual storytelling in a sweeping tribute to Greek creativity.
Soprano Maria Kosovitsa performs at the International Opera Awards, held at the Greek National Opera, in Athens, on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The audience also enjoyed unforgettable performances by this year’s award-winning stars — soprano Marina Rebeka and bass-baritone Nicholas Brownlee, who took home the Readers’ Award and Male Singer of the Year, respectively.
Honoring Legends and New Voices
The evening’s most emotional moment came as legendary Greek mezzo-soprano Agnes Baltsa received the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by GNO Artistic Director Giorgos Koumendakis, to a standing ovation. With a career spanning over five decades, Baltsa remains one of Greece’s most celebrated voices, having sung Carmen more than sixty times at the Vienna State Opera and performed on the world’s greatest stages — from the Metropolitan Opera and La Scala to Covent Garden and the Paris Opera. “I feel grateful for everything life has brought me,” she said, visibly moved.
Other major honors included the Opera Company Award for MusikTheater an der Wien, presented by Greece’s Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, and the Conductor of the Year title for Alain Altinoglu.
Soprano Marina Rebeka performs after receiving the Readers’ award at the International Opera Awards, held at the Greek National Opera, in Athens, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
In keeping with opera’s evolving identity, the Equal Opportunities and Impact Award went to The Dallas Opera’s Linda and Mitch Hart Institute for Women Conductors, celebrating a decade of advancing gender representation in music leadership.
Highlights Across the Operatic World
The Royal Opera House’s world premiere of Festen, based on the groundbreaking Danish film, won Best World Premiere, while the Janáček Brno Festival took home Festival of the Year. The New Production Award went to The Excursions of Mr. Brouček, a striking co-production by the National Theatre Brno, Staatsoper Berlin, and Teatro Real Madrid, directed by Robert Carsen.
The Sustainability Award went to Teatro Real Madrid, recognized as the first historic opera house in the world to install a walkable solar-panel roof — a symbol of opera’s commitment to a greener future.
Greek mezzo-soprano Irena Athanassiou has her hair done backstage during the International Opera Awards, held at the Greek National Opera, in Athens, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Recordings were also honored: Atys by Lully (Château de Versailles Spectacles) won Complete Opera Recording, while mezzo-soprano Ann Hallenberg and The Mozartists took Solo Recital Recording for their album of Gluck arias.
Among the rising stars, Adèle Charvet and Hugh Cutting were named Rising Stars of the Year, highlighting a new generation of artists shaping opera’s next chapter.
The Art Form That Endures
As the night drew to a close, Jury Chair John Allison — editor of Opera and Opera News and chair of the International Opera Awards jury, reflected on the symbolic resonance of hosting the event in Greece:
“Greek mythology was one of opera’s founding inspirations — and now, more than four centuries later, opera stands as one of the world’s most international art forms. Tonight, we celebrated the International Opera Awards while listening to contemporary Greek works. This setting could not be more fitting for honoring operatic excellence from across the globe during the 2024/25 season. I’m delighted to see so many outstanding winners.”
American bass-baritone Nicholas Brownlee performs after receiving the Male Singer award during the International Opera Awards, held at the Greek National Opera, in Athens, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Each winner received a bespoke marble statuette inspired by Early Cycladic art — a violin-shaped figure designed in collaboration with the Museum of Cycladic Art, symbolizing the harmony of ancient heritage and modern artistry.
Supported by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), the 2025 International Opera Awards not only crowned the best in opera but also reaffirmed Athens’ role as a vibrant cultural crossroads — where tradition and innovation, Greece and the world, meet in one resonant note.
