Silchukou was a cultural icon in his native Belarus, the lead soloist at the State Opera Bolshoi who represented his nation at official government functions at home and abroad and performed at opera houses all over Europe. Opera News Editor Paul Driscoll said it gives Opera News and the Metropolitan Opera Guild “special joy to celebrate” the three honorees “whose talent, integrity and courage are abiding sources of inspiration.Opera singer Ilya Silchukou stands for a photograph at a park in a suburb of Boston, Tuesday, Oct. The gala will also feature appearances by Nina Stemme and Christian Van Horn. Musical tributes by J’Nai Bridges and Piotr Beczala will be performed in honour of the recipients.

The black-tie gala at the Plaza Hotel in New York City will mark the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s return to live, in-person events. I can’t wait to celebrate with everyone this April in New York!!” The Opera News Awards recipients have been announced: Denyce Graves, Quinn Kelsey and Elza van den Heever.

The 42-year-old will be celebrated, along with two other singers from the US, for her achievement in opera at the Awards Gala on 3 April 2022.Įlza – who is based in France and is a dual South African / French citizen – took to social media on Tuesday evening to share the good news, saying: “I am thrilled to be one of this year’s recipients of the Opera News Award with my wonderful colleagues (mezzo-soprano) Denyce Graves and (baritone) Quinn Kelsey! Thank you to the entire Opera News team for this incredible honor. South African soprano Elza van den Heever has been named as a recipient of the 17th Annual Opera News Awards.

Opera news awards