16 October 2021

The Queen presents the 2020 Polar Music Prize

On Saturday 16 October, The Queen presented the 2020 Polar Music Prize to opera singer Anna Netrebko.

The Queen and Anna Netrebko at Stockholm Concert Hall.

The Queen and Anna Netrebko at Stockholm Concert Hall. Photo: Yanan Li

Anna Netrebko was born and raised in Russia, where she studied singing at the Saint Petersburg State Conservatory. She now lives in Austria, and has performed with leading opera companies around the world during her career.

Anna Netrebko sings at Stockholm Concert Hall.

Anna Netrebko sings at Stockholm Concert Hall. Photo: Charlotte Brunzell/SPA

The Queen presented the 2020 Polar Music Prize to Anna Netrebko at a concert given by the singer at Stockholm Concert Hall.

The prize would have been presented last year, but the ceremony was cancelled due to the pandemic.

The Queen meets Anna Netrebko behind the scenes at Stockholm Concert Hall.

The Queen meets Anna Netrebko behind the scenes at Stockholm Concert Hall. Photo: Yanan Li

The Polar Music Prize

The Polar Music Prize is an international music prize that was established in 1989 by Stig 'Stikkan' Anderson.

The Polar Music Prize is presented each year to musicians, groups or institutions in recognition of "significant achievements in music and/or musical activity, or for achievements which are found to be of great potential importance for music or musical activity, and shall be referable to all fields within or closely connected with music".

The prize was first awarded in 1992.