(Credit: Kristen Hoebermann)

David Portillo has been awarded the Sphinx Medal of Excellence for 2024.

The award is the highest honor bestowed by the Sphinx Organization, recognizing extraordinary classical Black and Latinx musicians. The award includes a $50,000 career grant and annually recognizes three artists who early in their career demonstrate artistic excellence, outstanding work ethic, a spirit of determination, and an ongoing commitment to leadership and their communities.

Portillo is a tenor who has performed at many of the leading opera houses including the Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Dallas Opera, Deutsche Opera Berlin, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, the Glyndebourne Festival, Opera Philadelphia, Opera Australia at the Sidney Opera House, and the Wiener Staatsoper.

Other honorees this year include conductor Kalena Bovell and cellist Sterling Elliott.