The final Helpmann Awards have been announced, with Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Bennelong leading the pack and Muriel’s Wedding, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Brett Dean’s Hamlet close behind.

Tenor Allan Clayton has been named Best Male Performer in an Opera at the Helpmann Awards’ second and final ceremony this evening, bringing Brett Dean’s Hamlet to four wins at this year’s awards. The centrepiece of the 2018 Adelaide Festival, Hamlet was awarded Best Opera, Best Direction of an Opera (Neil Armfield), and Best Female Performer in a Supporting Role in an Opera (Lorina Gore) at yesterday’s ceremony.

Allan Clayton as Hamlet at the Adelaide Festival. Photo © Tony Lewis

For her acclaimed debut as Violetta for Opera Australia’s La Traviata, soprano Nicole Car received the award for Best Female Performer in an Opera. International star Jonas Kaufmann won Best Individual Classical Music Performance for his portrayal of the title role in Wagner’s Parsifal, seen here in a concert staging by Opera Australia.

Nicole Car in Opera Australia’s La Traviata. Photo © Prudence Upton

Elsewhere, the Sydney Symphony received the Best Symphony Orchestra Concert award for...