International Opera Awards 2017, Coliseum

Culture Whisper's favourite companies, productions and performers will be represented at the London Coliseum for a stellar night of opera that celebrates every aspect of this most complex and powerful of art forms.

Glyndebourne is one of the six companies shortlisted for their outreach and education, while the Beatrice in its stylish Béatrice et Bénédict last year, the French mezzo-soprano Stéphanie d'Oustrac, lines up for best female singer alongside other international stars, including Anna Netrebko.

That house's Buckinghamshire cousin, Garsington, is shortlisted for best festival, while Barrie Kosky's five-star treatment of Shostakovich's outlandish The Nose for the Royal Opera House is slated for best production, alongside English National Opera's Akhnaten. The Royal Opera House is also among six finalists for best opera company.

The ROH's eagerly awaited production of The Exterminating Angel, which will have opened by the time the awards are presented, is shortlisted for its Salzburg premiere, as is Welsh National Opera's Figaro Gets a Divorce, by one of the most interesting composers today, Elena Langer: look out for Culture Whisper's interview with her soon. She has a written a new piece for this year's London Piano Festival at Kings Place.

The glamorous awards ceremony features live performances by many leading artists, and is introduced by Petroc Trelawny of BBC Radio 3, which broadcasts highlights on 21 May at 7.30PM. Past performers include Culture Whisper favourite Ermonela Jaho. It promises to be a glittering occasion, and funds raised will support emerging artists worldwide.