Soprano Mary Curtis-Verna, 88, Queen Of The Last-Minute Substitutes

“Known to opera aficionados for her large, flexible voice and astute musicianship, Ms. Curtis-Verna was associated with the Met from 1956 to 1966. Appearing in nearly 100 performances, she was cast regularly in leading roles, including Tosca and Aida.” In 1958, Time magazine called her “the Metropolitan’s most highly publicized relief aria-pitcher.”