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The Birgit Nilsson Prize Award Ceremony 2009 13 October 2009 Royal Swedish Opera Stockholm

Welcome

Your Majesties DISTINGUISHED GUESTS

Before her death in 2005 Birgit Nilsson chose Plácido Domingo as the first recipient of the Prize. She held him in high esteem as singer, conductor and humanitarian

On behalf of the Birgit Nilsson Foundation, welcome

and wanted to honour him as one of the greatest opera

to the first Award Ceremony of the Birgit Nilsson Prize.

singers of all time. The admiration was mutual: “She

Here at the Royal Opera in Stockholm, the legendary

personified musical excellence. And each time I was on

Birgit Nilsson made her debut 63 years ago. This evening

stage with her, I was so overwhelmed by her voice that

the Foundation is awarding the first Birgit Nilsson Prize

I almost forgot to sing,” says Plácido Domingo.

for Outstanding Achievement in Opera and Concert — to honour those who, performance after performance, bring

In the future, an appointed jury will recommend the

the music to life, bridging the gap between composer

singer or conductor who has made an outstanding con-

and audience.

tribution to the world of music, or select an exceptional opera production which has been staged in the spirit of the composer. On behalf of the Birgit Nilsson Foundation, I trust this evening will remain memorable, and I thank you for taking part in this event.

Prof. Dr. Rutbert Reisch President of the Birgit Nilsson Foundation

Birgit Nilsson and Plácido Domingo in ‘Turandot’, The Metropolitan Opera 1970 Photo: Louis Péres

Cover photo: Sheila Rock

H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf and H.M. Queen Silvia

At the Award Ceremony, H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf will present the Birgit Nilsson Prize to Plácido Domingo in the presence of H.M. The Queen. As an enthusiast of the Arts and music, H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf attended many of Birgit Nilsson’s performances at the Royal Swedish Opera. In 1981, Birgit Nilsson was decorated with the Illis Quorum Gold Medal, the highest award conferred upon a Swedish citizen by the Government of Sweden, in recognition of her outstanding cultural and artistic contribution. Upon being informed of her death in 2005, H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf said, “With Birgit Nilsson’s passing away, Sweden has lost one of its greatest artists.”

H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf and H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden Photo: Hans Hammarskiöld

The Programme

The Royal Swedish Opera will open its doors at 17.00 h.

H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf will then present the Birgit

All guests must be seated by 17.50 h at the latest.

Nilsson Prize to Plácido Domingo, who was chosen by

The Swedish television presenter Camilla Lundberg will

the late Birgit Nilsson to be the first Prize winner. To

moderate the Ceremony.

conclude, the Royal Swedish Orchestra will perform the prelude to Wagner’s ‘Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg’.

The President of the Birgit Nilsson Foundation, Prof. Dr.

The Award Ceremony will finish at approximately 19.15 h.

Rutbert Reisch, will open the Ceremony by welcoming the guests. Hans-Peter Lehmann, former General Manager

After the Ceremony, the audience will be invited to

of the State Opera of Hanover and Assistant Director

a cocktail reception at the Royal Swedish Opera by the

at the Bayreuth Festival, will then pay homage to

Birgit Nilsson Foundation.

Birgit Nilsson. His laudatory speech will be followed by a performance of the Swedish soprano Nina Stemme, accompanied by the Royal Swedish Orchestra conducted by Gregor Bühl. They will perform the ‘Liebestod’ from Wagner’s ‘Tristan und Isolde’. Thereafter, the Artistic Director of the Royal Swedish Opera, Birgitta Svendén, will give the laudatory speech for Plácido Domingo.

Photo: Alexander Kenney

The Royal Anthem

To open the Ceremony, the audience will stand and sing The Royal Anthem.

Ur svenska hjärtans djup en gång en samfälld och en enkel sång, som går till kungen fram! Var honom trofast och hans ätt, gör kronan på hans hjässa lätt, och all din tro till honom sätt, du folk av frejdad stam!

From the depth of Swedish hearts, a joint and simple song, which to the King reaches forth! Be faithful to him and his line, the crown upon his head, make light, and all your faith in him invest, you folk of high renown. (unofficial translation)

Birgit Nilsson in ‘Götterdämmerung’, The Metropolitan Opera 1975 Photo: Beth Bergman

Written around 1844, The Royal Anthem (‘Ur svenska hjärtans djup en gång’) pays homage to H.M. The King as the symbol of the Swedish nation. Lyrics by C.V. A. Strandberg, music by Otto Lindblad.

Birgit Nilsson

Wagner’s Isolde and Brünnhilde, Puccini’s Tosca and Turandot, Richard Strauss’ Elektra, Salome and the Dyer’s Wife in ‘Die Frau ohne Schatten’ — these were parts that became the core repertoire of Birgit Nilsson. The opening of the La Scala season 1958 as Turandot, her debut at the Metropolitan Opera as Isolde in December 1959, and her Brünnhilde and Isolde in Wieland Wagner’s productions in Bayreuth were considered milestones in her career. A collegial recognition of Birgit Nilsson’s artistry was evident during a television interview several years ago when Plácido Domingo was asked what musical recordings he cherished most — he answered, “One of my all-time favorites is ‘In questa reggia’ sung by Birgit Nilsson but the recording cannot compare to the sound I heard when singing with her.” After 36 years, Birgit Nilsson suddenly retired from the opera stage in 1982, without giving a farewell performance, remarking in her typical style, “It’s better to be Birgit Nilsson in ‘Tristan und Isolde’, Vienna State Opera 1967 Photo: Foto Fayer

retiring two years too early than two years too late!” There followed a concert tour in 1984, after which she devoted her time to sharing her experience with young talented singers. Her life continued to be dedicated

No one could have predicted that Birgit Nilsson would

to opera even after she left the stage. Birgit Nilsson

one day become an icon among the interpreters of

died on 25 December 2005, at the age of 87, in her

Wagner, Strauss, Puccini and Verdi, and perform at the

Swedish homeland, where she was buried in a quiet

world’s leading opera houses. Born on 17 May 1918 in

ceremony.

Västra Karup, a town in the southern Swedish province of Skåne, the young farmer’s daughter was at first simply seen as an exceptional vocal talent who was welcome to sing in the local church choir. Birgit Nilsson completed her professional training as a soprano at the Stockholm Opera School, and in 1946 made her debut as Agathe in ‘Der Freischütz’ at the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm. Her stage repertoire quickly broke through the lyrical and youthful-dramatic roles. Soon she achieved great acclaim at international level, both from her audiences and the critics.

Birgit Nilsson with Wieland Wagner in ‘Tristan und Isolde’, Bayreuth Festival 1965–1970 Photo: Siegfried Lauterwasser

Birgit Nilsson in ‘Turandot’, Vienna State Opera 1961 Photo: Foto Fayer

Birgit Nilsson with conductor Karl Böhm in ‘Salome’, The Metropolitan Opera 1965

Birgit Nilsson with Franco Corelli in ‘Tosca’, The Metropolitan Opera 1968

Birgit Nilsson with James Levine in ‘Elektra’, The Metropolitan Opera 1980

Photo: Beth Bergman

Plácido Domingo Recipient of the first Birgit Nilsson Prize

Plácido Domingo’s worldwide career is legendary — singing 130 different roles, more than any other tenor in history. Ten years ago, Plácido Domingo surpassed Enrico Caruso’s longstanding record of opening the Metropolitan Opera season, and in 2009, he celebrates his 40th year of singing at the Metropolitan Opera, having opened the season 21 times. Plácido Domingo’s musicality is confirmed by his extraordinary repertoire and singing career, as well as his accomplishments as a conductor, administrator, humanitarian, and creator of young artist programmes and competitions. Plácido Domingo was born in the Barrio de Salamanca district of Madrid on 21 January 1941. After moving to Mexico at the age of 8, he went to Mexico City’s Conservatory of Music to study piano and conducting, but then studied vocal training after his voice was discovered. In 1961, Plácido Domingo made his operatic debut in a leading role as Alfredo in ‘La Traviata’ at Monterrey.

Birgit Nilsson with Plácido Domingo backstage after ‘La Traviata’, The Metropolitan Opera 1981 Photo: Patrick Farrell, Linda Gale

He has sung and continues to sing in every major Opera House in the world. Being constantly challenged by new roles — in six different languages —, he has made an unparalleled amount of recordings, of which 101 are

Birgit Nilsson and Plácido Domingo

full-length operas. The range of his repertoire extends from Mozart to Verdi, from Berlioz to Puccini, from

Birgit Nilsson and Plácido Domingo first sang together

Wagner to Ginastera.

in New York at the Metropolitan Opera on 15 February 1969, in a matinee production of ‘Tosca’. Birgit Nilsson

As a conductor in the classical field of opera and concerts,

remarked that, “Plácido acquitted himself splendidly.

he has led performances in all the important theatres.

He was an incredibly good Cavaradossi, his acting was

Furthermore, Plácido Domingo’s interest in helping

superb — he was the part, he loved the part and on top,

young singers is emphasized by his yearly competition

there was gorgeous singing.”

‘Operalia’, which has taken place all over the world. Birgit Nilsson chose Plácido Domingo as the first recipient of the Birgit Nilsson Prize before her death in 2005. The Prize honours Plácido Domingo for his singular contribution to the performing arts, his outstanding musicianship, glorious voice, dramatic expressiveness, thorough professionalism, and his commitment to serve the composer.

Photo: Sheila Rock

Honouring Birgit Nilsson and Plácido Domingo

Birgitta Svendén The Artistic Director of the Royal Swedish Opera, Birgitta Svendén, will give the laudatory speech on Plácido Domingo. Birgitta Svendén is one of the most important Swedish Hans-Peter Lehmann and Birgit Nilsson at the Bayreuth Festival, Rehearsal of ‘Tristan und Isolde’, 1967 Photo: Bayreuther Festspiele

opera singers and was appointed Swedish Royal Court Singer in 1995. She was a member of the Royal Opera until 1994 and, during that time, in high demand worldwide. For thirteen seasons at Bayreuth she sang in a

Hans-Peter Lehmann

total of 157 performances. Birgitta Svendén appeared as Erda in the ‘Ring’, sang Waltraute in ‘Götterdämmerung’

At the Award Ceremony, the German Director Hans-Peter

and Magdalene in ‘Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg’, to

Lehmann will reflect on his friendship with Birgit Nilsson

mention just a few of her roles. She also sang at the Metro

and the influence she had on the world of opera.

politan Opera for ten seasons between 1986 and 1998.

The Stage Director and Artistic Director, born in Kassel, Germany in 1934, and married to the singer Erika Maria Lehmann, was Assistant Director to Wieland and Wolfgang Wagner in Bayreuth — and thus came to know Birgit Nilsson in 1960. A close friendship developed as a result of their long cooperation. The long-time general manager of the Hanover State Opera has been an Independent Director since 2001. Wagner, Strauss and Verdi are at the centre of his work as Stage Director at the leading musical institutions around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera and La Scala. Hans-Peter Lehmann also teaches at various academies in Germany, and acts as a jury member at international singing competitions.

Photo: Alexander Kenney

Nina Stemme performs the ‘Liebestod’

The famous soprano has sung at all the leading opera houses, concert halls and festivals throughout the world. Nina Stemme, who was appointed Swedish Royal Court Singer in 2006, is a member of The Royal Swedish Academy of Music. Nina Stemme’s performance of the ‘Liebestod’ will be accompanied by The Royal Swedish Orchestra under the baton of Gregor Bühl. Nina Stemme in ‘Tristan und Isolde’, Royal Swedish Opera 2004 Photo: Mats Bäcker

Nina Stemme

Der Liebestod

The Swedish soprano Nina Stemme will perform the ‘Liebestod’ from ‘Tristan und Isolde’.

Mild und leise.

The opera world discovered Nina Stemme in 1993,

Isolde’s transfiguration — the ‘Liebestod’ — requires

when she was among the first outstanding young talents

a strong dramatic voice capable of soaring over the

at the Operalia — the World Opera Competition founded

full orchestra as well as floating a subtle pianissimo.

by Plácido Domingo. In 1996, she won the scholarship of

Isolde was one of the roles Birgit Nilsson performed

the ‘Stiftelsen Birgit Nilssons Stipendiefond’.

most frequently over the course of her career. “One never finishes with Isolde, even if one has sung her

Since her first performance of Isolde at the Glyndebourne

more than two hundred times, as I have,” she once

Festival, her interpretation of the ‘Liebestod’ has moved

said. Of the ‘Liebestod’ she remarked, “However

countless opera lovers. She was also an acclaimed

fantastic the performance of Isolde is in the first

success at the Bayreuth Festival. Along with Plácido

two acts, if it fails during the ‘Liebestod’, it is not a

Domingo, she made a now famous recording of ‘Tristan

good Isolde.”

und Isolde’ in 2005.

The Royal Swedish Orchestra plays the prelude to ‘Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg’

The Ceremony will be concluded with the prelude to

The Royal Swedish Orchestra

‘Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg’, performed by the Royal Swedish Orchestra, conducted by Gregor Bühl.

The Royal Swedish Orchestra currently comprises 107 members. The orcherstra traces its origins back to the Court Chapel of the 16 th century and is one of the world’s oldest orchestras. As the only professional orchestra in 19 th century Sweden, it also regularly gave concerts with symphonic and vocal works. Many of the world’s most distinguished conductors have worked with the orchestra. The list of noted 20th century conductors includes Leo Blech, Fritz Busch, Sixten Ehrling, Lamberto Gardelli, Michael Gielen, Nils Grevillius, Armas Jarnefelt, Berislav Klobucar, Siegfried Köhler, Leif Segerstam and Silvio Varviso.

Photo: Mats Bäcker

Gregor Bühl, conductor The German conductor Gregor Bühl has strong ties to the Royal Swedish Opera, where he not only conducted their critically acclaimed new ‘Ring’ Cycle but also productions of ‘Tristan und Isolde’, ‘Samson et Dalila’, ‘Werther’ and ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’. He has also worked extensively in European opera houses such as Dresden, the Deutsche Oper Berlin and Leipzig and made his North American debut in Toronto, with Fidelio. He has worked with orchestras in Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Weimar, the Gewandhaus Orchester Leipzig and the Israel Philharmonic. Gregor Bühl studied conducting with Wolfgang Trommer in Düsseldorf and started his career as Gerd Albrecht’s assistant at the Hamburg Opera, before acting as 1st Kapellmeister at the Staatstheater Hanover from 1995 to 2001.

Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg Wagner experienced unforeseen popularity following the premiere of ‘Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg’ in 1868. It became a veritable success and ensured a wide audience for Wagner’s musical cosmos. Unlike Wagner’s other works, it is not based on mythology but on the German history of music. Wagner began to compose ‘Meistersinger’ as early as 1845 and finished it 22 years later. In the ‘Meistersinger’, Wagner focuses on people, social structures and the arts establishment with great humour and originality — all without fore going a few serious and melancholy undertones. The setting is 16 th century Nuremberg where the winner of a singing contest wins the hand in marriage of the cobbler’s daughter.

Photo: Alexander Kenney

The Royal Swedish Opera

Kungliga Operan or the Royal Swedish Opera is the venue of the Birgit Nilsson Prize Award Ceremony 2009. It lies in the centre of Stockholm, opposite the Royal Palace. It was designed by Axel Johan Anderberg and opened in September 1898. It is a majestic neo-classical building with a magnificent gold foyer and an elegant grand marble staircase leading to a three-tiered auditorium. Over the years, the Royal Opera has introduced many outstanding opera singers to the world of opera. Jenny Lind, Kerstin Thorborg, Jussi Björling, Set Svanholm, Birgit Nilsson and Nicolai Gedda are but a few of the legendary Swedish singers who once made their debut at the Royal Opera. And the tradition continues with singers like Nina Stemme, Katarina Dalayman, Peter Mattei and many more.

Birgit Nilsson at the Royal Swedish Opera Birgit Nilsson made her first appearance at the Royal Opera on 9 October 1946 in the role of Agathe in Carl Maria von Weber’s ‘Der Freischütz’, and won great acclaim as Lady Macbeth the following year. For a decade, Birgit Nilsson was a permanent member of the Royal Opera. She performed regularly at the opera house as a guest singer until 1981 when she gave her last performance there as Brünnhilde in ‘Die Walküre’.

“The evening of October 9, 1946 was windy and overcast. The young girl from Skane was on her way to the Royal Opera for her first-ever performance as a professional opera singer. Just five days earlier, she had been told that she was to replace the scheduled Agathe in Weber’s ‘Der Freischütz’. The choice of taking over the role fell on the young singer, who had never previously sung at the Opera.” Birgit Nilsson, autobiography ‘La Nilsson’

Camilla Lundberg is guiding through the evening Camilla Lundberg will act as moderator at the Award Ceremony. She is one of the best known television personalities in Sweden. Camilla Lundberg joined the Swedish national television SVT as Head of Music in 1999, where her first major production was ‘Ingmar Bergman on Music’. She is executive producer of the award winning documentary ‘La Nilsson’ (2005). For more than twenty years, Camilla Lundberg was a senior music critic for the newspaper ‘Expressen’. She is also a well-known radio personality, having hosted a morning show on classical music since the 1970s. In the year 2000, she published her essays on music, politics and the arts, which were nominated for the Swedish Booker Prize, ‘August’.

The Royal Swedish Opera Photo: Mats Bäcker

The Birgit Nilsson Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Opera and Concert

Towards the end of her long and distinguished career, Birgit Nilsson decided to establish a foundation for a prize, worth one million dollars, to be awarded every second or third year for outstanding achievement by a singer in the field of opera or concert or oratorio, or a conductor in the classical field of opera or concert, or a specific production by an opera company, as long as this production is outstandingly cast and conducted and, most importantly, staged in the spirit of the composer. According to the provisions of the Birgit Nilsson Foundation, the decision on the recipients is made by the Foundation Board, based on the recommendation of an international jury. It may be split between two artists; it may not be awarded to the same person twice. The Birgit Nilsson Prize is the biggest prize in the history of classical music.

Birgit Nilsson in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tristan und Isoldeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, Vienna State Opera 1967 Photo: Foto Fayer

The Birgit Nilsson Foundation expresses its deepest gratitude to Their Majesties for honouring the Foundation with Their presence at the Award Ceremony and for presenting the Birgit Nilsson Prize to its recipient Plácido Domingo.

The foundation would like to express its deep appreciation to Lars-Hjalmar Wide, First Marshal of the Court Hans Norlén, Surveyor of the Court Annika Sönnerberg, Information Officer of the Royal Court Anders Franzén, Managing Director of the Royal Swedish Opera Birgitta Svendén, Artistic Director of the Royal Swedish Opera Kurt Blomquist, Technical Director of the Royal Swedish Opera The Royal Swedish Opera and Orchestra Nina Stemme Gregor Bühl Hans-Peter Lehmann Camilla Lundberg Margareta Dellefors Bengt Hall

Project Management by Farner Consulting Ltd., Zurich Alexander Roosdorp, Project Manager Patrik Rosenberg, Head of Event Management Jun Sarbach, Head of Press Office Barbara Koster, Press Officer International Hannes Hultcrantz, Prat PR, Press Officer Sweden Dunja Tonnemacher, Stage Director Nina Bunschi, Guest Relations Manager Tsunshan Samson Ng, Design Director

The Birgit Nilsson Prize c/o Farner Consulting Ltd. Oberdorfstrasse 28 CH-8001 Zurich info@birgitnilssonprize.org www.birgitnilssonprize.org