If only the Met would have the grace and good sense to cast her, in these waning years of her career, in a starring part. Why couldn’t it have been Podles to sing the Orfeo?!? How about Erda in the next Ring, or a rip snorting Ulrica? One would think, after the reception she was given as La Cieca (no relation to our esteemed and chere doyenne) they’d wake up. People have such weird tics when hearing her voice, though. I’ve been seated twice next to persons unprepared for her sound and been subjected to their derisive tittering, involuntary sighs, and groans. No wonder there are about four contraltos left. Funny, in this age of enlightened counter-tenorism that the contralto voice is so little tolerated.