Voice of an angel

We learn today the sad news that American soprano Anna Moffo passed away last Friday at the age of 73. Her voice, despite its untimely and unfortunate deterioration, was in my mind at least, one of the most beautiful instruments to have ever graced the earth. Her recordings of Villa-Lobos' Bachianas Brasileira No. 5 and Rachmaninov's Vocalise are two of my all-time favorites and among the most haunting and poignant in my library. Known almost equally for her exceptional beauty, Ms. Moffo's passing turns a page in the history of American opera. Philip Kennicott has an appreciation in today's Washington Post.