In Stockholm, a 2008 Polar Music Prize music prize was awarded

The King of Sweden Karl XVI Gustav handed the 2008 Polar Music Prize music award, which is called the "Nobel Prize in the field of music." This year, opera singer Rene Fleming and Pink Floyd were the winners of this year. The size of the bonus for each contractor is 1 million Swedish crowns or 167 thousand dollars, ITAR-TASS reports.

The American soprano was awarded the award "as a sign of recognition of its inimitable voice and unique stylistic versatility", and the British group for "a monumental contribution to the development of popular culture."

At the press conference preceding the award ceremony, the former members of the Pink Floyd Nick Mason and Roger Waters confirmed that receiving a prestigious reward does not mean that fans can count on the reunification of a group that broke up in 1985.

The last time the musicians played together at a concert in 2005. Mason also added that he would try to persuade the other Pink Floyd members to give the monetary component of the prize for charitable goals.

In turn, Rene Fleming expressed the hope that the audience would listen to her in 50 years. “For me, the word“ classic ”means that music withstands the test of time,” she said.

The Polar Music Prize was established by the manager of the popular Swedish group "Abba" by Stekkan Anderson, who founded a fund of 42 million kroons ($ 4.2 million) for these purposes in 1989, which has now increased to $ 60 million ($ 6 million). Since 1992, the prize annually has been awarded to performers not only popular, but also classical music for "a significant contribution to the development of musical art in the world."

The 2007 prize winners were the American Minimalist composer Steve Reich and the jazz saxophonist Sonny Rolins.

Among the owners of this prestigious musical award of previous years are the Russian conductor Valery Gergiev , the legendary British rock band Led Zeppelin, Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina, singer from South Africa Miriam Makeb, as well as American musicians Bob Dylan, Stevie Under John, outstanding Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich and representative of the legendary The Beatles Paul McCartney.