Romanian soprano Lucia Stănescu has died at the age of 94.

The soprano, who lived in Livorno for 50 years, was born on June 16, 1926, and went on to have a memorable career at some of the greatest opera houses in the world. During her prime, Stănescu went on to become one of the leading “Madama Butterfly” interpreters of her generation and also sang the roles of  Tosca, Aida, Manon Lescaut, Santuzza in “Cavalleria rusticana,” and Mimì in “La Bohème.”

She was well known for having performed at the Festival Puccini di Torre di Lago, Teatro Goldini, and Bolshoi Theatre.

From 1970 to 1974 she became the intendant of Cluj Romanian Opera and taught at the Instituto musicale “P.Mascagni” di Livorno for 15 years. In 2015 she published an autobiography entitled “E’stata una vita o un sogno?

In 2019 at the age of 93 she received the award “Livorno al Centro” at the Festival Livorno al Centro.