Matilda Sterby emerged victorious as the recipient of the 2024 Birgit Nilsson Stipendium. This esteemed award, accompanied by 250,000 SEK (approximately 21,500 euros), will be presented to her on August 9 during her performance as part of the Birgit Nilsson Days festivities. Expressing her elation, Sterby conveyed, “Receiving this stipendium is a cherished dream, deeply meaningful on multiple levels. It is a tribute to the legendary artistry of Birgit Nilsson and her remarkable journey through the challenges of her career. Moreover, knowing that esteemed singers whom I've long admired have been past recipients fills me with gratitude and validates my path in the realm of opera. The financial support will immensely aid in my ongoing growth, facilitating opportunities for further training, coaching, and exploration of new career avenues.”

Sterby has solidified her position as one of Sweden's promising vocal talents, showcasing her prowess at esteemed venues including the Malmö Opera, Volksoper Wien, Hannover Opera, and Gothenburg Opera. Notably, she was honored with the 2022 Schymberg Award and distinguished herself as a finalist in the 2024 Royal Swedish Academy of Music’s prestigious Soloist Prize.

The Birgit Nilsson Stipendium, established in honor of Birgit’s mentor Ragnar Blennow, underscores its significance by recognizing exceptional vocalists such as Nina Stemme, Anna Larsson, John Lundgren, and Malin Byström.