Opera magazine to hold inaugural awards in London

Opera magazine is to have its first annual international awards, presented at a ceremony in London on 22 April.

The Operas, the brainchild of the long-running publication and businessman Harry Hyman, hope to raise awareness of opera as it struggles with budget cuts.

Opera magazine editor John Allison said: "Artists put their life and soul into their work but a lot of good performances.. are not recognised.

"Hopefully these awards will raise opera in everyone's conscience."

In 2011, the world famous festival Glyndebourne said it would put on fewer regional shows after seeing its arts council grant cut.

"Opera houses all over the world are in a lot of difficulty at the moment as everything is being cut and everyone is feeling the pinch," Mr Allison told the Reuters new agency.

"Some smaller houses in the United States have closed," he added.