Mezzo-soprano Katherine Pring has passed away at the age of 78.

Born in Brighton in 1940, the mezzo went on to study at the RCM, London, and at the Geneva Conservatory, joining Sadler’s Wells Opera (later the ENO) in 1968. With the English National Opera, she would become well-known for her interpretation as Carmen and Fricka in the Ring Cycle.

She would also go onto make her Royal Opera House debut in 1972 as Thea in Tippett’s “The Knot Garden,” and also made her Bayreuth debut in the same year. She would also go onto perform with Opera North in a memorable production of “Samson and Dalila.” Her technical prowess allowed her to perform a number of repertory staples including Dorabella, Azucena, Preziosilla, Eboli, Carmen, Santuzza, Amneris, and both Waltraute and Fricka.

She would also go on to record a number of albums including the world premiere recording of Frederick Delius’ “The Magic Fountain” and “The Coronation of Poppea” alongside Janet Baker in English.

Here is a clip from her Carmen.