Birgit Nilsson

On 20 February 2009 Spanish-Mexican tenor Plácido Domingo was announced as the inaugural recipient of the prize which carried with it a cash award of $1000000. There was a healthy competition between Nilsson and tenor Franco Corelli as to who could hold the high C the longest in Act II of Turandot. "
In Birgit Nilssoner power her high notes were sometimes compared to those of the Broadway belter Ethel Merman.

Her voice was noted for its overwhelming force bountiful reserves of power and the gleaming brilliance and clarity in the upper register.