The second recipient of the Birgit Nilsson Prize was conductor Riccardo Muti, recognized for exemplifying all of the qualities that were so important to Birgit Nilsson: passion, dedication and extraordinary work over many decades. “When I heard that the Birgit Nilsson Foundation had chosen me for this distinguished award, I was deeply touched by the jury’s accolade” said Riccardo Muti. “All the more so given my profound admiration for this unique and extraordinary artist, both as an incomparable musician and…

Plácido Domingo was the first recipient of the Birgit Nilsson Prize, chosen by Nilsson herself. Yet the announcement was not made until February 2009, three years after Birgit Nilsson’s death and 40 years after her first collaboration with Domingo, performing Tosca at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. “Plácido Domingo’s worldwide career is legendary - singing 130 different roles, more than any other tenor in history” commented, Rutbert Reisch, President of the Birgit Nilsson Foundation. “His musicality is confirmed by…