2026 Stipendium
The recipient
The 2026 Birgit Nilsson Stipendium is awarded to Baritone Luthando Qave, who grew up in South Africa but has lived and worked in Sweden for several years, will receive the 2026 Birgit Nilsson Stipendium of SEK 250,000 (approx. USD 27,000). Luthando will give his Stipendium recital on 7 August at Birgit’s Church in Västra Karup, as part of this year’s Birgit Nilsson Festival.
Stipendium
A Stipendium for young promising singers
Throughout her career, Birgit Nilsson felt a deep personal responsibility for the future of opera. By establishing a scholarship in her name, she sought to support and encourage the next generation of young singers.
Birgit’s Tosca guest performance at Malmö Opera in 1969 laid the foundation for the Stipendium, which was established the same year in memory of her singing teacher Ragnar Blennow (1893–1969). The Stipendium was first awarded in 1973.
Recipients
A Stipendium for young promising singers
The last recipient to receive the Stipendium from Birgit herself was mezzo-soprano Susanne Resmark in 2002. The year after Birgit Nilsson’s death the Stipendium was resumed and, since 2006, has been awarded annually.
Today, the Stipendium recipient is announced on May 17 – the singer’s birthday – and the award ceremony and concert take place at Västra Karup church in August.
The Birgit Nilsson Stipendium is currently worth SEK 250,000. It is awarded by the Foundation for Birgit Nilsson’s Stipendium Fund and the recipient is appointed by the Fund’s board.