The World of Song Award

Beginning in 2001, the Lotte Lehmann Foundation presented the World of Song Award to a deserving art song composer, singer, or collaborative pianist; the award alternated annually between recipient type. Consisting of a beautifully framed document designed by noted calligrapher Denis Lund, the award served to raise public consciousness of art song and to honor those who have devoted their creative lives to this enriching form of music. When the Foundation went into hiatus, 2009-2012, the award was temporarily discontinued, and then resumed in 2013.


2001 – Dalton Baldwin (1931-2019)

2002 – Hugues Cuénod (1902-2010)

2003 – Ned Rorem (1923-)

2004 – Graham Johnson (1950-)

2005 – Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (1925-2012)

2006 – Dominick Argento (1927-2019)

2007 – John Wustman (1930-)

2008 – Janet Baker (1933-)

2013 – Christa Ludwig (1928-2021)

2014 – Richard Hundley (1931-2018)

2014 Honorary Award – Paul Sperry (1934-)

2015 (Tie) – Irwin Gage (1939-2018)

2015 (Tie) – Roger Vignoles (1945-)

2016 – Elly Ameling (1933-)