The 2017 Opera Awards took place at the Australian Chamber Orchestra Studios in Sydney on Monday 20th February, where entrants were auditioned and interviewed by a distinguished panel of adjudicators.

We are thrilled to announce that the winner of the 2017 Opera Awards is NSW bass baritone Adrian Tamburini. Adrian was selected by an eminent panel comprising musician and artist Dr Di Bresciani OAM; tenor Anson Austin OAM; soprano Cheryl Barker AO; and maestro Simon Kenway.

As winner of the Opera Awards, Adrian was awarded the YMFAustralia Award of $30,000 and the Armstrong-Martin Scholarship of $4,500.

You can watch Adrian’s winning performances on the Opera Awards YouTube Channel.

Congratulations to our other winners

NSW mezzo soprano Anna Dowsley was awarded the Britten-Pears Prize: an opportunity to participate in the Strauss Lieder & Arias course with Angelika Kirchschlager and Malcolm Martineau in the UK as well as a scholarship to cover the fees for the course, accommodation, lunches on teaching days and a contribution towards her airfare. aldeburgh.co.uk

Queensland soprano, Eva Kong, received the 4MBS Classic FM Award: an opportunity to perform in the annual 4MBS Festival of Classics Australia’s largest classical music festival. Orchestras, choirs, ensembles and soloists from south-east Queensland perform concerts centredaround a theme. The Festival features 20-30 concerts in  10-15 venues, predominantly in Brisbane. 4mbs.com.au/