Birgit Nilsson, the dominant Wagnerian soprano of the post-World War II period, whose unforced, voluminous sound, superhuman stamina and steely vocal brilliance thrilled audiences as she took on the ...

Her parents’ farmhouse became a summer home, and their only child laid flowers on their grave when she gave recitals in the church at Västra Karups where she’d sung in the choir. Her huge financial ...