Maria Jeritza was a celebrated Austrian soprano renowned for her powerful voice and dramatic stage presence. Born in Brno, she became a leading star at the Vienna State Opera and later at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She was particularly famous for her interpretations of roles in operas by Puccini and Richard Strauss, creating the title role in Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos. Her glamorous career spanned several decades, cementing her legacy as one of the great divas of the 20th century.