One of the great Brunhildes departs

[dianeduane]

Not much to say about this except that it's sad to lose so un-diva-like a presence from the artform that invented the word.

Another legendary moment came after one of her frequent battle-of-the-high-note contests with tenor Franco Corelli during the second-act duet from Turandot. Enraged that no matter how hard he tried she could hold onto the climactic high C longer than he could, Corelli apparently got his revenge during their third-act love scene by biting her on the neck instead of kissing her. Ms. Nilsson is said to have telephoned [Metropolitan Opera general manager Rudolf] Bing to cancel her next performance with the explanation, "I have rabies."

And another favorite:

Once asked what was the chief requirement for singing the role of Isolde, she replied: "Comfortable shoes."