Opera singer (soprano). Made her professional debut in 1944, in Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Russia, then toured in Russia for several years, then, in 1952, joined the troupe of Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.
Fled the Soviet Union in 1974 with her husband, Mstislav Rostropovich, and their two daughters.
Made her La Scala debut in 1964, singing the role of Liù in Turandot,
opposite Birgit Nilsson and Franco Corelli.
Made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1961 as Aïda.
Made her international debut in 1960 in Sarajevo at National Theatre as
Aïda.