On November 16, five of opera’s true originals will be honored in a gala evening and awards ceremony at Manhattan’s Plaza Hotel. The fourth annual OPERA NEWS Awards fête the distinguished achievements of John Adams, Natalie Dessay, Renée Fleming, Marilyn Horne & Sherrill Milnes.

From the Nov. issue of Opera News:

When the time came to select the perfect team to cohost this year’s OPERA NEWS Awards, the choice was easy: Susan Graham and Thomas Hampson, both past OPERA NEWS Award honorees, are two of opera’s most generous, most savvy — and most irreverent — performers. It is a source of immense pride to all of us at OPERA NEWS that the magazine has covered the accomplishments of Susan and Tom from the very beginning of their distinguished careers; it is our great joy to place the hosting duties for the fourth annual OPERA NEWS Awards in their capable hands. Susan Graham and Thomas Hampson are the best of the best, two artists who will always be counted among the opera world’s brightest stars. — F. PAUL DRISCOLL