Domingo Wins First Ever Nilsson Prize

By Staff

Saturday, February 28, 2009, 11:57

Nilsson, the Swedish soprano had set up the Birgit Nilsson prize foundation. No one guessed that she has already picked the first winner for the prize, until after her death in 2005, aged 87.

The chosen winner for the first ever 1 million Nilsson prize is the Spanish tenor Placido Domingo. As reported by the BBC, the name had been kept a secret for three years after her death, at Nilsson's death.

The citation of the prize terms Domingo as "one of the greatest opera singers of all time". Domingo has done much to popularise operatic singing. He has also performed with Nilsson at many occasions at the time of her career.

"Placido acquitted himself splendidly. He was an incredibly good Cavaradossi, his acting was superb - he was the part, he loved the part and on top there was gorgeous singing," she said later.

The prize ceremony is planned at some time this year in Stockholm.

AGENCIES