Birgit Nilsson Prize 2009
Today Swedish King Carl Gustaf awarded the Spanish opera tenor and conductor Placido Domingo with the first Birgit Nilsson Prize, created by late Swedish soprano Birgit Nilsson. The Birgit Nilsson Prize was handed out during a ceremony at the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm on October 13, 2009. Queen Silvia also attended the ceremony.
- Click at the image to see it at Daylife
Placido Domingo has performed in 130 different parts through his career and won the prize for his “unrivaled” contributions to the world of opera. In a very emotional speech, Domingo said it was “unbelievable” to stand on the stage where Nilsson had performed so many times. He called her “one of the greatest artists, if not the greatest.”
The prize is worth 1 million dollars and is one of the biggest prizes in classical music. The prize is to be awarded every second or third year ‘for outstanding achievement’ in the international field of opera, concert or oratorio. Birgit Nilsson died in December 2005 at age 87. She selected the Spanish tenor herself.
