News of the death of soprano Heather Harper has been fanning out across British media since her passing on Monday at the age of 88, and obituaries are now beginning to appear on our shores.

Harper, who is closely identified with the works of Benjamin Britten, is probably best known for having stepped in for Galina Vishnevskaya, when the latter was unable to obtain permission from the Soviet authorities to sing in the premiere of Britten’s “War Requiem.” (Vishnevskaya does, however, appear on the classic recording.) The other soloists on that occasion were Peter Pears and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. Britten’s requiem was presented to mark the consecration of the reconstructed Coventry Cathedral. The original 14th century structure was destroyed by bombing in World War II.

Harper also sang in André Previn’s classic recording of Vaughan Williams’ “Pastoral Symphony.” Her other achievements are layed out in this appreciation in the Washington Post.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/heather-harper-versatile-british-operatic-soprano-dies-at-88/2019/04/24/4828423c-65e3-11e9-8985-4cf30147bdca_story.html?utm_term=.9512aac40924