Nilsson, Birgit [key], 1918–2005, Swedish soprano. Her powerful voice first came to international attention at the Munich Opera, where she was heard (1954–55) as Brünnhilde in Wagner's Die Walküre and in the title role in Strauss's Salome. In 1959 she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City as Isolde. Although she was particularly noted for Wagnerian roles, Nilsson also performed in the Italian repertoire, notably as Turandot and Aïda. She retired in 1984.
See her autobiography (1995, tr. 2007).
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