The world-famous Swedish soprano and court singer Nina Stemme has been named an honorary member of the Wiener Staatsoper, "Ehrenmitglied der Wiener Staatsoper", a unique distinction. The only Swede who has previously been awarded membership in this exclusive society dating back to 1880 is Birgit Nilsson, who was inducted in 1968. In 2018, Nina Stemme was awarded The Birgit Nilsson Prize. In great demand worldwide she is a frequent guest at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, La Scala in Milan, Wiener Staatsoper,…

Good evening your majesties, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, my fellow musicians — I am truly overwhelmed. I thank your majesties, I thank you, Susanne, I thank the Birgit Nilsson Foundation for this great honor. I am grateful to all of you for making me feel so much at home in Stockholm and welcoming me into the magnificent world of Birgit Nilsson. I never met La Nilsson in person. I so wish I could have. The world acknowledges that that…

World famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma is the fifth recipient and first instrumentalist to be awarded the Birgit Nilsson Prize by King Karl XVI Gustav. The ceremony took place on October 18 in a packed Konserthuset Stockholm and was followed via live stream by viewers world-wide. Receiving the Prize, Yo-Yo Ma said “As I leave Sweden tomorrow, I will carry with me these forever memories, the memory of this evening, with such moving performances … But l will also leave with…

October 18 cellist Yo-Yo Ma will receive the 2022 Birgit Nilsson Prize. On the occasion of his visit to Sweden a group of young cellists from various cultural schools across Sweden had the opportunity to meet the world star. They also attended the rehearsal and concert at Konserthuset Stockholm where Yo-Yo Ma performed Dvořák’s Cello Concerto. The young cellists were invited from all over Sweden to meet a role model that was just as interested in them as they were…

In a special musical celebration the 2022 Birgit Nilsson Prize is awarded to the world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma. The Birgit Nilsson Prize Ceremony 2022, which takes place on October 18 in the presence of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, features performances by the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Swedish Opera Choir and Radio Choir. Joining them on stage are young soloists, cellist Amalie Stalheim and Birgit Nilsson Stipendium singers Johanna Wallroth and Emma Sventelius among others. The Prize Ceremony will be…