May, Taylor and, of course, Mercury were first-rate singers.

So both pieces work well in the concert versions offered by Charles Dutoit, a good chorus from Montreal and a raft of first-rate singers.

His vision led him, at age 29, to found a company that regularly presented rarely performed and contemporary works and engaged first-rate young American singers.

He moved to New York in 1976 and was soon surrounded by first-rate young singers eager to hitch their careers to his talent.

The cast also comprised first-rate singers.

Varla Jean Merman, the analyst, is a first-rate singer and actor who switches characters with awesome aplomb.

"It is today absolutely a fact that even for roles that are not difficult, there are at best two or three first-rate singers in the world."

Orfeh and Ms. Hopkins are also first-rate singers given ample chances to display their gifts.

Ever after, his productions would almost always feature first-rate singers in the leading roles.

Silvio was played by Paolo Coni, a first-rate singer of much finesse.