Cutler, a 27-year-old native of Iowa, made his first solo recording for EMI in 2003. He has appeared with the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Santa Fe Opera. His roles include Tamino in Die Zauberfl‹te, Arturo in I puritani, and Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni.

Previous winners include Ren_e Fleming, Deborah Voigt, Ruth Ann Swenson, Jennifer Larmore, David Daniels, and Stephanie Blythe.

Named for the great American tenor, the Richard Tucker Foundation promotes and develops young American opera singers through grants, awards, performances, master classes, and other activities.