DOMINGO AWARDED $1 MILLION PRIZE
Legendary tenor PLACIDO DOMINGO has been crowned the winner of the first ever $1 million (£700,000) Birgit Nilsson award for his outstanding achievements in classical music.
Late Swedish soprano Nilsson established a foundation prior to her death in 2005 for a prize to be given to an individual for excellence in opera and concert.
She picked Domingo as the winner of the inaugural award - but officials kept the name in a sealed envelope until Friday’s (20Feb09) announcement.
He was chosen for the prestigious prize for "outstanding achievements in the international field of opera and concert", according to The Birgit Nilsson Foundation.
Domingo is one of the most versatile tenors in history, having sung 128 roles, and is widely known as one of The Three Tenors alongside José Carreras and the late Luciano Pavarotti.
The Spanish star is also a conductor, and general director of both the Washington National Opera and the Los Angeles Opera.
He will receive his award at a prizegiving ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden later this year (09).
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