Hovsångare

The titles hovsångare (Swedish: [ˈhôːvˌsɔŋːarɛ], literally "Court Singer") for men and hovsångerska (Swedish: [ˈhôːvˌsɔŋːɛʂka]) for women are awarded by the Swedish monarch to a singer (usually an opera singer) who, by their vocal art, has contributed to the international standing of Swedish singing. The formal title was introduced by King Gustav III of Sweden in 1773, with the first recipients being Elisabeth Olin and Carl Stenborg. The position as such, however, dates back to the 17th century, when Anne Chabanceau de La Barre and Joseph Chabanceau de La Barre were singers at the court of Queen Christina of Sweden.