She played many roles throughout her career, including performances under the baton of such leading conductors as Claudio Abbado and Herbert von Karajan.

In December 1977 she opened the 200th opera season in La Scala singing Don Carlos's Eboli with Abbado as conductor.

[2] In 1978, she played the title role of Carmen opposite Plácido Domingo in Franco Zeffirelli's television production of the opera.

[4] On 27 December 1990, she was awarded the title of the Hero of Socialist Labour (mark of distinction - "Hammer and Sickle" gold medal ), Order of Lenin by the President of USSR for her contribution to the development of Soviet Music.

In 2008, Obraztsova ended her artistic director contract with the Mikhailovsky to concentrate on the competition of her name and the recently announced project of International Academy of Music in St Petersburg.

On 7 July 2009, Obraztsova's 70th birthday was marked with a special program at the Mikhailovsky Theater that included ballet performances, opera arias, excerpts from films, and jazz and piano recitals.