Russia's famed mezzo-soprano Yelena Obraztsova has died at the age of 75.
Obraztsova's cultural foundation says she died on January 12 of cardiac arrest at a clinic in Germany, but didn't provide further details.
Born in 1939 in what was then called Leningrad, Obraztsova as a child survived a devastating Nazi siege of the city during World War II.
In 1963, she debuted in Moscow's Bolshoi Theater as Marina Mnisek in Boris Godunov opera.
She performed at many stages worldwide, including Milan’s La Scala Opera House, the New York Metropolitan Opera, and London’s Royal Opera House.
Her parts included Azucena in Verdi's Il Trovatore, Dalila in Saint-Saens' Samson et Dalila and Amneris in Verdi's Aida.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent condolences to Obraztsova's family.
Obraztsova is to be buried at Moscow's Novodevichy cemetery on January 15.
Based on reporting by Interfax, AP, and AFP
