The very lovely mezzo-soprano Frederica "Flicka" von Stade is 80 years old today!
As is the wont with mezzo-sopranos, she was never destined to be as great a household name as her soprano contemporaries such as Kiri Te Kanawa, Renee Fleming or Mirella Freni, but she has remained one of the greatest "opera-lovers' favourite opera singers" for decades, nonetheless.
Indeed, the Madam and I both adore her [both for her operatic splendour and her "crossover" stuff] - and here are just a few reasons why:
[Yes - I have featured this song, and Miss Von Stade, before over at Give 'em the old Razzle Dazzle]Many happy returns, Frederica von Stade (born 1st June 1945)
