As far as Verdi sopranos go, no-one on the opera stage today can beat Sondra Radvanovsky for sheer vocal beauty and power. Her voice - a gleaming, penetrating sound that is hard-edged without being harsh - is rich and sumptuous, large, yet capable of spinning out beautiful pianissimo phrases, thrilling and edgy, yet with an expressive timbre. Comparisons with the untouchable divas of yesteryear - Leontyne Price, Renata Tebaldi and Maria Callas - are inevitable, and like these great legendary singers before her, Radvanovsky's voice is unusual, yet utterly distinctive and recognisable. You simply know it's her when you hear her. Coupled with her striking stage presence, she has firmly established her reputation as one of the leading stars on the international opera stage, as one of the foremost Verdi sopranos of our time and as an emerging bel canto singer destined to leave her mark on this particular repertoire. In this On And Off The Record podcast, Adriaan Fuchs provides a thrilling profile of this remarkable artist and woman. www.onandofftherecord.com