"Astrid Varnay was given a few hours notice by the Met to fill in for an indisposed Lotte Lehmann as Sieglinde for a matinée performance of Die Walküre.
"Although she had no time to rehearse, she sang the part in a performance conducted by Erich Leinsdorf that was broadcast on national radio. "
Damn. That's right out of some movie script. Brava.
May she rest in peace.
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