Has it been a year already? Apparently so, because the honorees for the eighth annual F. Paul Driscoll Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence, or as they are colloquially  known, the Opera News Awards, have just this minute been announced. The five superb artists who have made an invaluable contribution to the art form this time around are sopranos Mirella Freni and Dawn Upshaw, countertenor David Daniels, baritone Simon Keenlyside, and bass-baritone Eric Owens. The eighth annual FPDAOAFE ceremony will take place on Sunday, April 21 at the Plaza in New York City.