Along with the recent passing of Elizabeth Schwarzkopf and that of Birgit
Nilsson late last year, comes the news of the death of Astrid Varnay,
Nilsson's contemporary, compatriot and colleague.  There are obituaries
out on the Web, of which the NY Times appreciation can be obtained here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/06/arts/music/06varnay.html

Bill H.