Anneliese Rothenberger(1924-2010)

She was a German operatic soprano who sang at leading opera houses on both sides of the Atlantic.

People in the street would say to me, "It's a pity we can't hear you anymore.". I thought, "That is better than if they said "The old woman is still singing.". (from a 2003 interview with German magazine "Stern", discussing her retirement)