The annual Big Easy Foundation's "Tribute to the Classical Arts" awards luncheon was held on January 27, 2017. These awards recognize performance achievements in 2016. In the newly established category of "Mixed scale opera" (formerly Collegiate/Community Opera), Loyola Opera Theatre's production of Romeo et Juliette won the award. The fellow nominees were NOCCA's Rinaldo, the Porgy & Bess concert with Xavier University and the LPO, and - nominated for the first time! - the "Opera on Tap" concert of Nov. 2, 2016, at the Rusty Nail.