Spanish mezzo-soprano Ana Mária Iriarte has died at the age of 98.

Born on Jan. 23, 1927, in Madrid, the mezzo went to the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid and later went to Vienna to continue her studies. She also studied in Milan under such renowned teachers as Elvira de Hidalgo and Mercedes Llopart.

On Dec. 4, 1945 she made her operatic debut. She was only 18 and sang at the Teatro Apolo de Valencia in “El soñador de Salvador Giner Vidal.”

Her breakout came as Amneris in “Aida at the Teatro Principal. She would make her debut in Mardi in 1946 in “La Favorite” and would go on to perform with the Orquesta de Cámara de Madrid. She also sang during the first Festival de Música y Danza de Granada junto and wen to the Royal Albert Hall where she sang with the London Philharmonic. She also performed to great success in Paris and Milan.

In 1960, she retired from the stage due to family issues. She was only 32 and her final performance was in the title role of “Carmen” at the Teatro Municipal de Burdeos.

In 2006, she created a foundation named after her to promote Spanish music and also sponsored the Concurso Internacional de Zarzuela Ana María Iriarte.