International Opera Awards nominations for six MA artists

Six of our artists are involved with productions nominated in this year's International Opera Awards.

There are three nominations in the World Premiere category. Toshio Hosokawa's Natasha was commissioned by Kazushi Ono, in his capacity as Artistic Director of New National Theatre, Tokyo, the third in a series of works by Japanese composers. Natasha opened in Tokyo in August, conducted by Ono and directed by Christian Räth. Bassem Akiki conducted the world premiere of Philip Venables' We are the Lucky Ones at Dutch National Opera in March, and subsequently conducted it at Ruhrtriennale in Bochum. Allan Clayton sang the lead role in Mark-Anthony Turnage's Festen, which opened at Royal Opera House in February.

Laurent Pelly's work receives two nominations. His new production of Jules Styne's Gypsy, with dialogue translations by Agathe Mélinand, opened at Paris Philharmonie in April and is nominated in the Musical Theatre category. The DVD of his production of Eugene Onegin at La Monnaie is also nominated for Recording of a Complete Opera.

The winners will be announced on 13 November at a gala hosted by Greek National Opera.