As previously reported, the awards will honor conductor James Conlon, soprano R_gine Crespin, tenor Plšcido Domingo, and mezzo-sopranos Susan Graham and Dolora Zajick.

Of the marquee singers on the program, only Bayrakdarian and Giordani are expected to perform, in tribute to Crespin and Domingo respectively. In addition Arroyo will give a spoken tribute to Crespin; Scotto will speak about Domingo; McNally, the librettist for Jake Heggie's Dead Man Walking, will pay tribute to Graham; LuPone will salute Conlon, a classmate at the Juilliard School; and Gunn will pay tribute to Zajick.

The award sculpture presented to the five honorees was designed by Opera News art director Gregory Downer and created by Tiffany & Company. The evening will also include cocktails and dinner.

Tickets are $850 for the entire evening, including cocktails, and $550 for the dinner and the awards ceremony. They are available through the Metropolitan Opera Guild, which publishes Opera News, at 212-769-7009. Proceeds benefit the Guild's education programs.