2025 BIRGIT NILSSON PRIZE

We are very touched as we announce that the 2025 Birgit Nilsson Prize has been awarded to the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, making it the first cultural institution ever to receive this distinction.

The Birgit Nilsson Prize, the most prestigious award in the world of classical music, has been granted to us “in recognition of the Festival’s exceptional artistic achievement and its commitment to developing and commissioning new opera productions,” according to the Birgit Nilsson Foundation.

This prize is an immense honor and marks a significant milestone in the Festival’s history. It rewards an ambitious artistic vision and a steadfast commitment to creation and excellence.

We receive this distinction with a particular thought for Pierre Audi, our recently departed General Director. Pierre had been informed of this amazing news and felt both proud and deeply moved. He was looking forward to celebrating this great honor with the team and all our partners. Pierre would undoubtedly urge us to pursue the path the Festival has been walking since 1948, with strength and fidelity.

We warmly thank all our public and private partners for their trust, their loyal commitment, and their unwavering support, which are essential to the continuation of the Festival’s missions.

Paul Hermelin,
Chair of the Board,

The Executive Committee of the Festival
 

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(RE)LIVE THE OFFICIAL BIRGIT NILSSON AWARD CEREMONY!

On Tuesday, October 21, the Festival d’Aix was honored to officially receive the Birgit Nilsson Prize, the world’s most prestigious award in classical music, during an exceptional musical evening in Stockholm. The event was attended by renowned international guests and artists. At the official ceremony, His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf presented the Prize to Sophie Joissains, Mayor of Aix-en-Provence, and Paul Hermelin, Chairman of the Board of the Festival.

The accompanying musical Gala was led by conductor Susanna Mälkki and featured the Royal Swedish Philharmonic, Royal Swedish Opera Choir, court singers Peter Mattei and Daniel Johansson, and young rising Swedish star soprano Matilda Sterby, recipient of last year’s Birgit Nilsson Stipendium. The ceremony was streamed live from Konserthuset Stockholm and is available to watch worldwide on Konserthuset Play for 30 days.

WATCH THE REPLAY