The world's largest award in classical music, worth one million dollars, goes for the first time to a festival. The Festival d'Aix-en-Provence is hailed by the jury for its artistic quality and its "commitment to developing and commissioning new opera productions".
Birgit Nilsson wanted to reward endurance, this festival has consistently been the foremost for opera development. It stands out, it is in a class of its own!, says Susanne Rydén, the prize's chairperson, who clearly remembers the phone call.
He was stunned, and said "am I dreaming, is this true?".
Pierre Audi emphasized in his prepared speech that the festival gets the award at a crucial time in its 77-year history. Paul Hermelin, a member of the festival's board and present to receive the award, also emphasized his gratitude.
This is an acknowledgement of our entire operation, especially when the festival is going through tough times with decreasing public funding. With the help of the award, we can continue to maintain the artistic quality of the festival, says he.
Hermelin also says that the award comes with a responsibility.
The festival has been innovative and dared to test new things from the start, now we have a responsibility to continue on that path.
Living Art Form
Pierre Audi emphasized that the award makes it possible for the festival to nurture "the special synergy of innovation and quality" – something that Timothée Picard thinks will hold on to.
This addition will go towards developing his ideas, it's the best way to honor him, says Picard.
Susanne Rydén particularly highlights the international spread of highly interesting operas that the festival results in. The award gives special acknowledgement to the 2021 world premiere of the opera "Innocence", a commission by the Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho. The work has an original libretto by Sofi Oksanen, and after the premiere at the festival in 2021, it is played on fifteen more stages around the world.
Preserving Tradition
The festival is also hailed for how it has preserved tradition, with Patrice Chéreau's 1913 staging of Richard Strauss' "Elektra" as an example of an important premiere.
A special thank you will be given to Pierre Audi at the award ceremony.
The award ceremony for the Birgit Nilsson Prize 2025 on October 21 will be a tribute to Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Opera Chorus under the direction of Susanna Mälkki.
Birgit Nilsson established her international prize to recognize artists' and institutions' contributions to music. In Sweden, she also established a scholarship for young talented singers in 1969 and held annual lessons at the Manhattan School of Music from 1981 to 1991. She also created a scholarship there.
In connection with the Birgit Nilsson Foundation moving to Sweden in 2018, the statutes were adjusted according to Birgit Nilsson's wish to include instrumentalists within Western classical music.
Previous winners of the Birgit Nilsson Prize are Plácido Domingo (2009), Riccardo Muti (2011), the Vienna Philharmonic (2014), Nina Stemme (2018), and Yo-Yo (2022).
