Massimo Cavalletti has been awarded the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship.

The baritone announced via social media that he was awarded the prize by the Lions Club Lucca for his commitment against Parkinson’s disease. In a statement, he said, “I never pull back from giving my time and resources to important humanitarian causes.”

Since the Lions Club’s founding in 1968, the organization has strived to sustain humanitarian service goals throughout the world, awarding over 13,000 grants totaling more than US$1 billion, in the four key areas of sight, youth, disaster relief and other humanitarian efforts.

Cavalletti is one of the most in-demand baritones in the world. Cavalletti is set to perform “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” at the Opera Estate Festival this summer, as well as “Il Trovatore” at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. He also returns to the Teatro alla Scala and Teatro Regio di Torino.