The Royal Swedish Opera Chorus has posthumously awarded the Choir Prize to Michael Cavanagh.

The announcement was made during the performance of "Sweeney Todd" on December 13, 2024.

“Michael Cavanagh has been chosen as the 2023 recipient of The Royal Swedish Opera Chorus Award for his exceptional ability to recognize and utilize the unique expressive qualities of each chorus member when directing large choral scenes, such as in Nixon in China and Sweeney Todd. He employed an often inventive and sometimes unconventional approach to working with our chorus, using it as a driving force to propel the opera production forward, both during and between scenes. His positive energy was infectious, extending to everyone on and off stage,” read an official statement from the organization.

Cavanagh passed away earlier this year at the age of 62 after battling leptomeningeal cancer. He had directed more than 150 operas across 30 companies globally, including at the San Francisco Opera, LA Opera, Minnesota Opera, Royal Opera House, Opera Philadelphia, and Opéra de Montréal.