International Opera Awards

Lead Donor of the GNO & Production donor

The 2025 International Opera Awards ceremony will be held for the first time at the Greek National Opera. This world-class event, awarding the “Opera Oscars” (as dubbed by Süddeutsche Zeitung), will take place on 13 November 2025 at the Stavros Niarchos Hall of the Greek National Opera in the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC). The event is made possible by a grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) to enhance the Greek National Opera’s artistic outreach.

The International Opera Awards honour exceptional operatic talent from across the globe, celebrating the diverse and collaborative nature of this cherished art form. The annual awards ceremony has become an important landmark on the international operatic calendar. Founded by philanthropist Harry Hyman in 2012, the Awards aim to elevate the profile of opera as an art form, recognise and reward excellence, and help generate funds for the Opera Awards Foundation, which provides bursaries for emerging and talented opera creators and performers worldwide.

The Greek National Opera’s hosting of the International Opera Awards ceremony represents a natural continuation of its prolific activities, given that, since its relocation to the SNFCC in 2017 under the artistic direction of Giorgos Koumendakis and with support from the SNF, the GNO has evolved into one of the most inspired and creative opera houses in Europe, showcasing many new commissions, new productions, and international collaborations, along with a remarkable expansion of its repertoire.

The Artistic Director of the Greek National Opera, Giorgos Koumendakis, notes: “We are delighted that the Greek National Opera is going to host the International Opera Awards ceremony, for the very first time, in 2025 at the Stavros Niarchos Hall. Every year, this globally prestigious event singles out the most remarkable artistic achievements in the realm of opera and rewards younger and already distinguished opera artists along with opera houses worldwide. The award ceremony will take place on 13 November 2025, curated by the GNO and featuring the Orchestra, Chorus, and Ballet of the GNO. I would like to express my gratitude to the Opera Awards Foundation and the Awards Committee for the honour of selecting the Greek National Opera for this role, as well as the Stavros Niarchos Foundation for its support of this ambitious project.”

Harry Hyman, founder of the International Opera Awards, underscores: “We’re thrilled to bring the International Opera Awards to Athens for the first time, and to continue to celebrate the truly international art form of opera. Our thanks go to the Greek National Opera for hosting the 2025 ceremony, and I look forward to celebrating with them and the rest of the opera world in November.”