Legendary singer Brigitte Fassbaender has been awarded the Premi Franz Schubert.

The prize is given by the Associació Franz Schubert Barcelona, which was founded in 1997 and organized by the Schubertíada.

According to the jury, Fassbaender was given the prize for her influence and her trajectory in her decisive interpretations of Franz Schubert’s music.

Fassbaender was the first woman in history to interpret the song cycles “Die schöne Müllerin,” “Winterreise,” and “Schwanengesang.”

In a statement, the mezzo-soprano noted that Franz Schubert was the love of her life and noted that she considers the composer the greatest of all the great composers.

Throughout her career, Fassbaender performed at the Metropolitan Opera and Royal Opera House and performed many of the great repertory staples as well as song cycles.

The jury also awarded the second Premi Franz Schubert to the young talent Fleur Barron.