The winners of the inaugural OperaChaser Critics Awards (OCCAs) were announced in Melbourne on Wednesday night, 4 February.

Established by Melbourne-based opera critic (and Limelight contributor) Paul Selar, the awards recognise outstanding artistry, interpretation and professional commitment across the sector. Winners across 11 categories were decided by a panel of six experienced critics.

Emily Edmonds, Antoinette Halloran, Michael Petruccelli and Desiree Frahn. Photo © Jeff Busby

Victorian Opera’s production of Katya Kabanova emerged as the standout of the year, taking the OCCA for Outstanding Production from a field of 25 eligible productions spanning major companies, independents and professionally mentored programs for emerging artists.

The Janáček opera also collected two further awards, with Adelaide-based soprano Desiree Frahn named Outstanding Female in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Katya, and Niklas Pajanti winning Outstanding Lighting Designer.

Victorian Opera collected another award for Abduction, with Europe-based Australian bass Luke Stoker recognised as Outstanding Male in a Supporting Role for his Ossin.

Directorial honours went to Yaron Lifschitz for Orpheus & Eurydice, a collaboration between Opera Queensland and contemporary circus company Circa, presented by Opera Australia. The production proved one of the most awarded of the year, also earning Outstanding Male in a Leading Role for British countertenor Iestyn Davies’ Orfeo, along with Outstanding Chorus.

Melbourne Opera’s Melbourne Opera’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. Photo supplied

Melbourne Opera was a major presence among the winners for its ambitious staging of Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. British conductor Anthony Negus received the award for Outstanding Conductor. Mezzo-soprano Deborah Humble won Outstanding Female in a Supporting Role and Andrew Bailey was recognised for Outstanding Set Design.

The Meistersinger production also received a one-off Special Award for Momentous Operatic Event, acknowledging its artistic achievement and the impact of its presentation within Melbourne’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building.

The University of Melbourne’s Cendrillon, Photo © Ben Fon

Emerging talent was highlighted through the award for Outstanding Costume Designer, won by Maya Anderson for her work on Cendrillon, presented by the University of Melbourne’s Conservatorium Opera in collaboration with VCA Design and Production.

In a further announcement, bass-baritone Henry Shaw was named the inaugural OperaChaser Emerging Artist Prize recipient, receiving $1000 in recognition of a year that included roles with Melbourne Opera and BK Opera.

The judging panel comprised Selar alongside critics from The Age, The Guardian, Limelight and other major arts publications. The awards will return in 2026 with expanded categories and an enlarged panel to further recognise independent and emerging artists.