Amelita Galli-Curci

Amelita Galli Curci was an opera singer, considered by many to be one of the greatest coloratura sopranos of the 20th century. She sang with such opera legends as Enrico Caruso and Beniamino Gigli. A throat tumor cut short her career in the 1930s. Legendary opera star Beverly Sills has stated that Curci was her role model. She died of emphysema and complications from respiratory failure in 1963.