Matilda Sterby has won the 2024 Birgit Nilsson Stipendium.

The prize comes with 250,000 SEK (equivalent to euros 21.500) and will be awarded on August 9 when she performs in recital as a part of the celebrations for the Birgit Nilsson Days.

In a statement, Sterby said, “It’s a dream to receive this Stipendium, because it means so much. First and foremost because it’s linked to Birgit Nilsson’s name – her fantastic artistry and how she managed all the challenges of her career – but also because previous stipendium recipients are singers I’ve long looked up to. And it’s a confirmation that I’m on the right track. The money will also be useful for further development, singing lessons, coaching and travelling to broaden my career horizons.”

Throughout her career, Sterby has established herself as one of the up-and-coming Swedish singers who has performed at the Malmö Opera, Volksoper Wien, Hannover Opera, and Gothenburg Opera. She is the recipient of the 2022 Schymberg Award and a finalist in the 2024 Royal Swedish Academy of Music’s prestigious Soloist Prize.

The Birgit Nilsson Stipendium was created in memory of Birgit’s first teacher, Ragnar Blennow, who played an influential role in her early years as an aspiring singer and has been awarded to such singers as Nina Stemme, Anna Larsson, John Lundgren, and Malin Byström