From the trades

The Metropolitan Opera in New York has established an annual $50,000 (£28,000) prize for young opera singers, AP reports. The award is open to American performers between 25 and 40 who have already played solo roles for the Met . . . Performers from some of London's biggest West End musicals are teaming up with comics such as Shazia Mirza and Scott Capurro for a weekly cabaret night, according to The Stage . . . The Beach Boys have threatened to sue a UK auction house for selling what they claim are stolen items of memorabilia, NME reports. Auctioneers Cooper Owen deny the accusation . . .