The South African baritone Luthando Qave is awarded the Swedish Daily Newspaper's opera prize for his role as Figaro in the Royal Opera's production of "The Barber of Seville" earlier this year – a role he also performed at the Gothenburg Opera in 2018 – and for his performance in John Adams' "The Death of Klinghoffer" at the Norrland Opera last year.
Luthando Qave is "one of the most interesting opera voices we have on Swedish stages now", reads part of the motivation.
Luthando Qave says he did not expect to receive the prize.
"I am glad about the recognition it implies and see it as an encouragement to work even harder – to be as good as possible every time I am on stage", says Luthando Qave in a press release.
The prize has been awarded since 1977, this year the prize amount is 25,000 kronor.
