Ingeborg Gillebo receives the Tom Wilhelmsen Opera and Ballet award 2015

Being one of the world’s leading mezzo-sopranos, she debuted at The Metropolitan in New York, and is currently preparing for the international opera and concert singer competition, BBC Cardiff Singer of the World. Prior to last night’s performance of La Traviata, Ms. Ingeborg Gillebo, received the Tom Wilhelmsen Foundation’s Opera and Ballet Award for 2015, which in addition to the honours comes with a 500.000 Norwegian kroner cheque.

"This award means extremely much to me. It gives me the possibility to further develop my skills as a singer and to be able to cooperate with some of the worlds most acclaimed," says Ms. Gillebo.

She has been one of Norway’s best opera singers for years, and has so far this year performed in opera houses in Munich, Kiel and Birmingham. From 14 June to 21 June she will be travelling to Cardiff as Norway’s big hope in the international BBC competition, Cardiff Singer of the World.

Of course the prize money is highly welcomed and I have already started using them for preparations, like singing lessons with the American opera legend, Brian Jauhiainen, Gillebo says.

An obvious winner The Tom Wilhelmsen Foundation’s Opera and Ballet Award is handed out for the seventh time since 2009 and was previously given to prominent Norwegian opera singers, like Eli Kristin Hansveen, Marita K. Sølberg, Yngve Søberg and Audun Iversen.

The prize of 500.000 Norwegian kroner goes to talented performers within opera or ballet in Norway and is intended for further professional development. The jury was comprised of Wilhelm Wilhelmsen, Helen Juell, Asbjørn Larsen, Ellen Horn, Ellen Kjellberg and Anne Gjevang.

Head of the jury, Wilhelm Wilhelmsen, commented on the award. "To us, Ingeborg Gillebo represents the obvious winner of this prize. She is one of the most gifted singers Norway has to offer, and the Foundation is committed to supporting the leading performers of our culture scene so they can further develop and become exceptional within their disciplines."

Facts about Ingeborg Gillebo

• Norwegian female singer from Øyer in Gudbrandsdalen • Her voice is mezzo-soprano, the second highest female voice type • Debuted at the Metropolitan in New York, like only a very few Norwegians before her • So far this year she has appeared in the role of Cherubino from Figaro’s Wedding in both Kiel, Munich and Birmingham opera houses • Takes part in the international singing competition, BBC Cardiff Singer of the World in June

Facts about the Tom Wilhelmsen Foundation’s Opera and Ballet award 

First presented in 2009, when the award was split between Maiko Nishino and Eli Kristin Hansveen. 

Since then the award has been given to Silas Henriksen, Marita K. Sølberg, Yngve Søberg, Eugenie Skilnard, Audun Iversen, Camilla Spitzøe Cohen and Yolanda Correa. • The prize of 500.000 Norwegian kroner goes to talented performers within opera or ballet in Norway and is intended for further professional development. • The jury consists of Wilhelm Wilhelmsen, Helen Juell, Asbjørn Larsen, Ellen Horn, Ellen Kjellberg and Anne Gjevang

About Tom Wilhelmsen Foundation
Established in 1965, the foundation is a private and independently run organization. Its purpose is to support the community through the distribution of gifts or contributions to institutions, groups or individuals within science, humanitarian or culture. The foundation's contributions hope to provide for performers and encourage gifted youth or others to continue training, study or research.