Spanish soprano Victoria de los Angeles has died in hospital, following an illness. She was 81.
The singer was admitted to the Teknon clinic in Barcelona on New Year's Eve, after suffering cardio-respiratory troubles.
Her body lay in state in Catalonia's state palace for several hours at the weekend.
De los Angeles began her career in 1945 when she sang in the 'Marriage of Figaro', going on to have starring roles in the opera halls of Milan, Paris, New York and London. She was particularly noted for her role in Puccini's 'Madame Butterfly'.
Renowned for her performances of Spanish music, the soprano shot to international fame when she won the Geneva International Competition in 1947.
Josep Caminal, director of Barcelona's Liceu Opera House, paid tribute to her on Spanish state radio, saying: "She was the personification of good taste, a woman with an extraordinary voice, a woman with a frail appearance but who had a very strong character."
Although she retired from the stage in 1988, she continued to give occasional recitals for many years afterwards.
