Pinchgut Opera has been honoured at this year’s International Opera Awards, winning best Rediscovered Work for its production of Hasse’s Artaserse. Conducted by Artistic Director Erin Helyard and featuring the Orchestra of the Antipodes and a strong cast of local and international talent headed up by acclaimed mezzo Vivica Genaux, the opera was seen in its second, 1740 Dresden version in Sydney last November. The staging by Chas Rader-Shieber marked the first time the 1740 version had been performed, staged or recorded since its premiere, and the win represents the first time an Australian company has won an International Opera Award. Helyard and Genaux accepted the award on behalf of the company and gave a performance of an aria from Hasse’s Cleofide at last night’s ceremony, which was held at London’s Sadler’s Wells.

Erin Helyard and Vivica Genaux accept their award. Photo © Chris Christodoulou

“We at Pinchgut are enormously proud to announce that this evening we received the award for Best Rediscovered Work at the 2019 International Opera Awards at Sadler’s Wells for our 2018 production of Hasse’s Artaserse,” said Helyard. “Vivica Genaux and I performed at...