Late Bloomer

Here's an amazing story my dad sent to me about a 40-year-old dramatic soprano making her Metropolitan Opera debut (Stepping Onstage as a Waitress, She May Exit the Met as a Star).

Erika Sunnegardh will appear in the title role of Beethoven's "Fidelio," subbing for the lead. She's been a waitress for 20 years, and a church cantor:

"The humbleness of waiting on tables, she said, prepared her to deal with the pressure of a big career. Singing at funerals taught her that musical performance was not a celebration of the ego but something to be transmitted to other individuals. Years of struggle freed her from the debilitating fear of failure."

'It's an interesting life, but I am so ridiculously and gleefully happy and blessed,' Ms. Sunnegardh said. 'There's something to be said for running into the wall. Falling down and picking yourself up is great life experience.'

Ms. Sunnegardh's career was delayed despite an impeccable musical pedigree. Both parents were prominent voice teachers in Sweden, and a half-brother is a tenor. Her father, Arne, was the last teacher of Birgit Nilsson, the legendary Swedish soprano, and a touring accompanist for the tenor Jussi Bjoerling, another great. She had superb training in Stockholm, attending a choir school and studying modern dance."

I would really like to hear her voice, as there are many mentions of her long training and how certain qualities eluded her as a singer until she turned to her mother and another teacher and was able to apply their expertise.