Actress, singer and comedienne Edie Adams died on Wednesday at the age of 81. La Adams performed such operatic roles as Hanna Glawari and Despina in Cosi fan tutte regionally, and she created leading roles on Broadway in Wonderful Town and L’il Abner. She is particularly remembered for her personal and professional partnership with TV pioneer Ernie Kovacs.

Until La Cieca can track down a copy of the singer’s legendary “Music to Listen to Records To” album, let’s enjoy the young “Edith” Adams in a live 1950 performance that won her the title of “Miss U.S. Television” and launched her career.

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/bSuapqjANDs" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]