Tenor Bryan Hymel has been named the eighth recipient of the Metropolitan Opera’s annual Beverly Sills Artist Award. The $50,000 prize, the largest of its kind in the United States, is given to a talented American singer between the ages of 25 and 40, who has already appeared in solo roles at the Met.

‘I am honoured and humbled to receive the Beverly Sills Artist Award,’ said Hymel. ‘I have always admired Ms Sills’s unparalleled performing career, consummate artistry, and exceptionally giving and successful work in arts administration, and I am grateful to be associated with such an extraordinary legacy. Her commanding vocalism and grace onstage were an inspiration for me in my unexpected Met debut this year.’

Hymel made his company debut as a late replacement earlier this season as Aeneas in Berlioz’s Les Troyens. His performance was also transmitted worldwide as part of the Met’s Live in HD series. The 33-year-old will return to the Met in January 2014 to sing the role of Pinkerton in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.

Established in 2006 in honour of Beverly Sills, a well-known supporter of developing young artists, the award was created to help further recipients’ careers, including funding for vocal coaching, language lessons and travel. Previous recipients include baritone Nathan Gunn, mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, tenor Matthew Polenzani and soprano Angela Meade.