Premiere Opera Foundation International Vocal Competition has announced the “Marcello Giordani Prize.”

The competition said that the new prize will be a $5,000 award honoring a tenor in the vocal competition who exemplifies exceptional artistry and vocal promise in the lyric lirico-spinto repertoire that defined the legendary career of Sicilian-Italian tenor Marcello Giordani renowned for his laser-beam brilliant and soaring high notes that captivated audiences worldwide.

The prize will celebrate Marcello Giordani’s legacy by inspiring young tenors to uphold the tradition of extraordinary Italianate tenor singing.

The prize is sponsored by Marcello’s wife, Wilma Aherns Giordani, Marcello’s voice teacher, Bill Schuman, Music director and soprano Christina Vial, tenor, Michael Fabiano, and tenor Stephen Costello.

Giordani died at the age of 56 in 2019 and was recognized for singing leading roles of the Italian and French repertoire. He had a distinguished association with the Metropolitan Opera, where he sang in over 240 performances.