OPERA America announced Against the Grain Theatre’s “MESSIAH/COMPLEX” as the Noteworthy Projects winner in the first-ever Awards for Digital Excellence in Opera.

The new award recognizes the “best work created for digital platforms by individual producers and organizations across the U.S. and Canada.” There are four categories which include Artistic Creation, Education/Enrichment Material, University/Conservatory Projects, and Noteworthy Projects. The 2022 winners were selected from over 100 submissions and only 14 finalists.

Against the Grain Theatre’s “Sāvitri” was also a finalist for the Artist Creation prize.

Joel Ivany Against the Grain Theatre’s founder and artistic director, and co-director of “MESSIAH/COMPLEX” said in an official press release, “On behalf of AtG Theatre, the artists and the creative team of , we want to thank OPERA America for recognizing this unique film that’s so close to our hearts. During the early days of COVID, AtG took a big risk by pivoting to film. We were lucky to collaborate with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) and singers across Canada, hoping to create something special for our audiences and communities stuck at home during lockdown. We’re very thankful that “MESSIAH/COMPLEX” earned this inaugural award from one of the world’s leading opera organizations.”

Earlier this year, the “MESSIAH/COMPLEX” soundtrack was nominated for a JUNO Award in the category of Classical Album of the Year (Large Ensemble).

The film returns this holiday season via free on-demand streaming from Dec.11, 2022, to Jan. 8, 2023 on AtG’s website.