Eleanor Steber

Lyric's first great diva, the American soprano Eleanor Steber (1914 – 1990) appeared in her signature role, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, in the company's famous "calling-card" performances in 1954. Her phenomenal vocal command enabled her to excel at Lyric as Violetta in La traviata, but also as Tosca and in the title role of La fanciulla del West. A greatly loved artist at the Metropolitan Opera, she sang 33 roles there, including the creation of the title role of Barber's Vanessa.

Main photo: Eleanor Steber as Violetta Valéry in La traviata, 1958.