The Aix-en-Provence Festival in France has become the first festival to receive the prestigious Birgit Nilsson Prize, marking a historic moment in classical music recognition. The award ceremony took place at Stockholm Concert Hall on October 21, where King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden presented the world's most prestigious classical music award to festival representatives. This is the same venue where Korean author Han Kang received the Nobel Prize in Literature just 10 months earlier.

Established by legendary Swedish soprano Birgit Nilsson (1918-2005), who donated her personal fortune to create the award, the Birgit Nilsson Prize is presented every three years to recognize outstanding contributions to classical music. The prize carries a monetary value of $1 million, making it the largest financial award in the classical music field. "Today's stage is a music celebration that honors both the legacy of Birgit Nilsson and this year's laureate, France's Aix-en-Provence Festival," said Susanne Ruden, head of the Birgit Nilsson Foundation, as she opened the ceremony.

When the foundation announced the festival as the laureate in May, they stated that the festival "set a significant milestone in modern opera and added an important chapter to the history of the art form." This recognition represents a departure from previous years, as the prize has traditionally been awarded to individual artists rather than institutions. The festival's selection highlights its revolutionary approach to combining traditional opera with contemporary themes and innovative productions.

The ceremony served as both a tribute to opera's rich history and its promising future. The event opened with a video of Nilsson performing "Dich, teure Halle" from Wagner's Tannhäuser, showcasing her legendary career as a Wagnerian soprano. Musical performances throughout the evening were led by conductor Susanna Mälkki alongside the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Swedish Opera Chorus, and leading Swedish soloists including baritone Peter Mattei, tenor Daniel Johansson, and soprano Matilda Sterby.

The program featured works by Wagner and Mozart, as well as excerpts from "Innocence," reflecting both Nilsson's legacy and the festival's contemporary contributions. "Innocence," composed by Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho (1952-2023) with a libretto by Finnish novelist Sofi Oksanen, premiered at the 2021 Aix-en-Provence Festival and tackled the challenging theme of a school shooting, demonstrating how opera can explore contemporary social issues.

Throughout the evening, tributes were paid to director Pierre Audi (1957-2025), who had led the Aix-en-Provence Festival since 2019 and passed away in May, shortly before the award announcement. Under Audi's leadership, the festival, which was founded in 1948 with a repertoire centered on Mozart, expanded its scope to embrace modern opera and earned international acclaim. Paul Hermelin, chair of the festival board, emotionally stated, "The person who should be standing here is Pierre Audi. When he learned of the award, he was deeply moved and said, 'This is not only an honor but also an inspiration for a better future.'"

British composer George Benjamin added his tribute, saying, "Even in these uncertain and dark times, Audi and the Aix-en-Provence Festival kept the flame of opera and art alive." The impact of Audi's vision continues to resonate, as "Innocence" has traveled from Aix-en-Provence to Helsinki and Amsterdam, and is scheduled to reach the Metropolitan Opera in New York next spring, demonstrating the festival's global influence.

At a press conference held earlier at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, Finnish conductor Klaus Mäkelä praised the festival's artistic environment, stating, "The Aix-en-Provence Festival is a place where artists are trusted." This sentiment was echoed by novelist Sofi Oksanen, who shared her personal experience: "For a writer working in fear of ruining a festival, the words 'I believe in you' can make all the difference."

Sweden's commitment to supporting the arts extends beyond the Birgit Nilsson Prize, as the country consistently upholds a national philosophy that values artistic sustainability and innovation through various prestigious awards including the Nobel Prize in Literature and the Polar Music Prize. "Although small in size, Sweden has achieved international recognition in both classical and popular music – often called the Swedish Music Wonder," explained Birgit Nilsson Foundation head Ruden. "Many of our prizes began as private initiatives, yet they have played a vital role in reminding society of the importance of music, culture and science."

Nilsson's legacy continues to flourish through multiple initiatives designed to support and celebrate classical music. The foundation provides scholarships for young Swedish vocalists and launched the Birgit Nilsson Festival in 2018. Next August, the festival will stage Wagner's "The Flying Dutchman" as an outdoor opera at a tennis stadium in Bastad, southern Sweden, continuing the tradition of bringing opera to new audiences and venues. Ruden emphasized that "The Birgit Nilsson Prize ceremony is not just an award presentation – it is a festival celebrating Nilsson's legacy and the present vitality of classical music."