Brazilian singer Gilberto Gil and German romance singer Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau yesterday won the 2005 Polar Music Prize, an annual award founded by former ABBA producer Stig Anderson and designed to recognise legendary artists for their lifetime contribution to music.
Announcing their decision, the award's organisers said they were giving an award to Gil because of his "unflinching creative engagement in bringing to the world the heart and soul of the rich music of Brazil."
Of Fischer-Dieskau they said they made the award to recognise "his unique artistry in every area of classical singing and for his unparalleled achievements as a penetrating and innovative interpreter of art songs in the German language."
Previous winners of the Polar Music Prize include Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Pierre Boulez, Isaac Stern and Quincy Jones.