For the first time, the Royal Opera of Wallonia in Liège has been nominated for the prestigious International Opera Awards.
The ceremony will take place in Munich, Germany on 2 October, with the Walloon cultural institution having been nominated in the 'Opera Company' category.
"The nomination fills me with joy and pride," commented the opera house’s director, Stefano Pace. "It recognises the hard work of all our teams and the talent of the artists who give us the pleasure of performing on our stage," he added.
The Belgian establishment is up against five other houses in the 'Opera Company' category: the German Komische Oper, the National Theatre Prague (Czech Republic), Opéra national du Rhin (France), Opera Philadelphia (United States) and the Austrian Wiener Staatsoper.
The Royal Opera of Wallonia (Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège in French) is located in the centre of the city of Liège and is, along with La Monnaie in Brussels and the Flemish Opera (Opera Ballet Vlaanderen) in Antwerp and Gent, one of Belgium's three major opera houses.
Last year, La Monnaie won the 'Equal Opportunities & Impact' award for its social commitment under the 'A bridge between two worlds' programme.
With the goal of "(re)creating social links and giving everyone access to culture, music and opera," the programme was aimed at anyone "who has been made socially, economically or medically vulnerable by life."
Established in 2012, the International Opera Awards recognise and reward successes in the field of opera, celebrate it as an art form, and raise funds to provide scholarships for young talent.
