Vienna Orchestra to Receive $1 Million Birgit Nilsson Prize

The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra played on many of the most celebrated recordings of the Swedish soprano Birgit Nilsson, including the classic set of Wagner's 'Ring' cycle conducted by Georg Solti that immortalized her Brünnhilde. Citing her 'countless musical high points,' the orchestra voted unanimously to make her an honorary member in 1999.

Now a foundation established by Nilsson before her death in 2005 is returning the compliment: It announced Wednesday that the $1 million Birgit Nilsson Prize, the largest in the field of classical music, would be given to the Vienna Philharmonic on Oct. 8 in Stockholm in recognition of the orchestra's 'extraordinary contributions during its 172 years of work in opera and concert.'

This will be the third time the prize, which is awarded every few years, has been given. Nilsson personally chose the first recipient, Plácido Domingo, before she died, and he received the award in 2009. In 2011 the foundation's judges selected the conductor Riccardo Muti. This year the panel chose the Vienna Philharmonic.

Rutbert Reisch, the president of the Birgit Nilsson Foundation, praised its choice, saying in a statement that 'the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra exemplifies all the qualities that were so important to Birgit Nilsson - complete dedication, highest artistic standards and great versatility.'

Clemens Hellsberg, the president of the Vienna Philharmonic (who served on the panel of judges that selected Mr. Muti in 2011 but recused himself this year), said that the orchestra had 'revered and loved' Nilsson.

'To be honored by a prize which bears her name makes us grateful to have been selected and at the same time wistful as we honor her great memory,' Mr. Hellsberg said in a statement, adding that the orchestra would reveal how it plans to use the prize when it travels to Stockholm to receive the award in the presence of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden.

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