I had the very good fortune to sing my debut in the role of the Färberin in Frau ohne Schatten with Astrid Varnay as Amme. She was absolutely amazing. The voice was still strong and expressive. Also, she was a wonderful colleague to work with. The first thing she said to me at our first rehearsal was, “Brenda, call me Astrid and say ‘Du’ to me.”

Backstage, waiting for the performance to begin on opening night, we were both pacing back and forth. We looked at each other and smiled. I said to her, “Astrid, you are such a famous artist, you can’t be nervous!” She answered, “Brenda, if you are not successful tonight, they will say that you are still young. If I am not successful, they will say that I am finished!” I thought that was an honest and unpretentious insight.

Viorica Ursuleac, the famous Strauss soprano, who sang the world premieres of four of his operas, married to the great conductor, Clemens Krauss, was at the dress rehearsal. The press delighted in photographing Ms. Ursuleac, Ms. Varnay and me as being three generations of Strauss’ sopranos. It was, needless to say, a momentous occasion for me to be photographed with these great singers!

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