- She became a mainstay at some of the world's great opera houses, particularly in Germany. Her last stage appearance was in Munich in 1995.
- Born in Stockholm to Hungarian parents who moved to the United States in 1920.
- Got her break on December 6, 1941 -- a day before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor -- when she filled in for Lotte Lehmann as Sieglinde in Wagner's "Die Walkuere" in a performance that was broadcast nationally on radio.
- Sang over 200 performances with the Metropolitan Opera until 1956. Returned to the Met in 1974 after an 18-year absence, singing Kostelnicka in Janacek's "Jenufa." Her final Met performance was as Leocadia Begbick in Weill's "Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny" on December 22, 1979.
- Contemporary of some of the great Wagnerian sopranos, singing in an era that included Kirsten Flagstad, Birgit Nilsson, Helen Traubel and Martha Mödl.
- Although born in Sweden, her parents are of Hungarian ancestry.
- Moved to the United States in 1920.
- Her first voice teacher was her mother, Maria Javor Varnay.
- Studied voice with New York Metropolitan Opera staff conductor and coach Hermann Weigert, whom she married in 1944.
- Her professional break came on 6 December 1941.
- Last stage appearance was in Munich in 1995.
- World famous opera singer, especially in Wagner and Strauss roles
- Opera singer.
- While training with the Metropolitan Opera's singing coach, she took classes in typing and stenography because she thought it unlikely that she would have a career in opera.
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