1.   The young soprano retains an unfeigned humility that is surprising, given the critical acclaim she has received.

2.   At Palm Beach Opera, Scotto is working with two casts, including two young Japanese sopranos who are alternating in the title role.

3.   Birgit Nilsson once complained to a theater intendant that a glamorous young soprano was being placed in parts that would guarantee her vocal demise in five years.

4.   A young Chinese soprano, Ying Huang, sings the part of the faithful Japanese girl married at the turn of the century to the faithless American sailor.

5.   Christine Schaefer, the young German soprano who takes the title role, is in excellent control of her part.

6.   Eleanor Steber, then a rising young American soprano, stepped in and scored a triumph with the role.

7.   In a master class with the legendary opera singer Maria Callas, a young soprano becomes bewildered and frustrated as Callas interrupts her singing for the umpteenth time.

8.   Overnight, Ms. Blackwell became a celebrity, cast in the media as the spunky young soprano who had the talent and nerve to replace Ms. Battle.

9.   Singers who immediately come to mind are the young Russian sopranos Olga Guryakova and Irina Gordei.

10.   Sir John Eliot Gardiner recorded it last month for the Philips label with his exceptional English Baroque Soloists and Monteverdi Choir, featuring young Canadian soprano Gillian Keith.