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Soprano Angelia Meade has been awarded the annual Metropolitan Opera’s Beverly Sills Artist Award.
The £31,800 ($50,000) award, the largest of its kind in the United States, is given to a singer aged 25-40 who has appeared at the Met. It was established in 2006 in honour of the late opera star Beverly Sills, who supported young artists until her death in 2007.
'I am so deeply honoured to be the recipient of the Beverly Sills award,' said Meade, who was presented with the prize last Monday. 'I am greatly humbled and realise what an immense responsibility it will be to carry on the legacy Ms Sills achieved.'
Other singers to have received the award in the past include mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and soprano Susanna Phillips.
Meade has achieved widespread acclaim for her performances, and was a featured soloist in the Met’s Summer Recital Series in summer 2011. She is currently starring as Elvira in Verdi’s Ernani, a role she previously played in her Met debut in 2008. The production will be broadcast live from the Met in cinemas on 25 February.
Mel Spencer