American cellist Yo-Yo Ma was awarded the Birgit-Nilsson Prize on Tuesday, May 17, becoming the first instrumentalist to win the Swedish award.
Endowed with a million dollars, it is traditionally reserved for lyrical artists.
The 66-year-old musician of Chinese origin, who was born in Paris, brought
“an important chapter to the history of music”
, greeted Susanne Rydén, president of the Birgit-Nilsson foundation, in a press release.
“With exceptional musical sense, passion and dedication, Yo-Yo Ma's commitment to music helps us imagine and build a stronger society and a better future
,” she said.
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With one million dollars (about 950,000 euros), the Birgit-Nilsson Prize is the most richly endowed in the world of classical music, according to the foundation.
"It is a great privilege to receive this award and to play a small role in the legacy of one of our greatest musical role models
," said Yo-Yo Ma.
19 Grammy Awards and nearly 90 albums
Presented in memory of the Swedish singer, this prize rewards opera singers, conductors and active institutions.
In 2019, the award was extended to musicians.
A world-renowned virtuoso, Yo-Yo Ma has won 19 Grammy Awards for nearly 90 albums.
He has also performed many film scores.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, he had frequently posted interpretations of classical composers like Bach and Beethoven on social media, playing on several occasions in memory of the victims of the pandemic and in honor of medical personnel.
A UN Messenger of Peace since 2006, the musician has more recently taken a stand against the war in Ukraine.
On March 7, the musician set up his cello in front of the Russian embassy in Washington to perform the Ukrainian anthem there.
Then, on March 10, he posted a video on his Instagram account in which he is accompanied by pianist Emanuel Ax for an aria by Johannes Brahms, in support of Ukraine.