Trivia

Attended Hunter College and graduated in January 1942. Hunter College is now part of the City University of New York.

Was nominated for Broadway's 1988 Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role -Musical) for a revival of "Cabaret."

Her long career at the Metropolitan Opera (New York) began in 1944 when she won the Auditions of the Air. Soon afterwards, she replaced an ailing Zinka Milanov in Verdi's "Il Trovatore". Within 10 days of her Met debut, she also sang Santuzza in "Cavalleria Rusticana" and the lead role in Verdi's "Aida".

In 1955, realizing that her soprano voice was shifting, she started a year-long period of study with retired baritone Giuseppe Danise, who helped her to become a mezzo-soprano.

New York City, New York (November 2008)