The great Edita Gruberova, one of the world's most superlative coloratura sopranos, has died aged 74.
She was a phenomenal Queen of the Night, and her Mozart concert arias performances and recordings remain (for me and for many others) the absolute benchmark of exquisite sound and perfect technique. There's a particular recording which makes me catch my breath every time I listen to it.
Her performances of bel canto roles such as Lucrezia Borgia, Lucia di Lammermoor, La sonnambula, Anna Bolena and more made her one of the "greats".
Her singing career spanned decades; extraordinarily she was still singing at 70.
Rest in Peace, Edita. The world has lost a measure of beauty and I am among the many thousands who just cannot comprehend the extent of our loss.
