orig. Belle Silverman
born May 25, 1929, New York, N.Y., U.S.
U.S. soprano.
She sang on radio as a child and made her operatic debut in 1946. From 1955 she sang with the New York City Opera. After gaining attention for her coloratura performance in Julius Caesar (1966), she became one of the most celebrated opera stars in the world. After 25 years of singing with the company, she served as its director (197989). She sang with the Metropolitan Opera as well (197580), though after her prime. An effervescent personality, she hosted broadcast concerts and opera performances, becoming popular among a wide public.