1.   Ide Tynan, like many others in Irish traditional music, was classically trained and sang as first soprano with the RTE Philharmonic Choir.

2.   But you must have uncommon stamina and soaring power for Isolde, and Ms. Eaglen is the first soprano since Ms. Nilsson to make singing the role seem natural.

3.   His wife, Lois, a first soprano in the choir, forgives her husband his trespasses.

4.   She is probably the first soprano since Ms. Nilsson who can sing this music on her vocal interest, as they say, without dipping into her vocal capital.

5.   She can sing bass if she wants to, and first soprano.