Judith Raskin

It was during her college years that she began taking singing lessons, which she continued after graduation in order to develop further the warmth and artistry of her voice.

She secured national recognition in 1957 for her part as Sister Constance in the televised American premiere of Poulenc's Dialogues des Carmélites.

Her prominence continued to rise in July the same year when she starred in a concert version of Puccini's La bohème, with the Symphony of the Air in Central Park.

Although Harold Schonberg of The Times was critical of the opera, he praised the singers, including John Reardon and Judith Raskin.

Other roles performed at the Met included Micaela in Carmen, Nanetta in Falstaff, Marzeline in Fidelio and Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier.

[4] Despite having nominations, Raskin won the award for Best Opera Recording at the 11th Annual Grammy Awards for her role as Despina in Mozart's Così fan tutte (alongside cast members Leontyne Price, Tatiana Troyanos, George Shirley, Sherrill Milnes and Ezio Flagello, with conductor Erich Leinsdorf directing the New Philharmonia Orchestra and producer Richard Mohr for RCA).

She performed the works of contemporary composers Miriam Gideon and Ezra Laderman at Carnegie Hall in 1977; Harold Schonberg of the Times wrote that she “honor[ed] to the music.” She sang at the Cleveland Chamber Music Society, a performance of which Robert Finn in The Plain Dealer wrote in 1967 "...when it comes to the total package of voice, musicianship, personality projection and so on, I cannot think of any recitalist who is her superior."

As a complete artist, she captivated audiences whenever she appeared.” “Many believed her to be the most attractive Adele in Strauss' Fledermaus within memory.” After her death the family began an annual concert at The Stephen Wise Free Synagogue at which a winner of the National Council awards would perform; the annual Judith Raskin Memorial Concert ran for 25 years.

There are currently awards established in her name for young singers at the National Council of the Metropolitan Opera, the Manhattan School of Music and Smith College.

2 RCA Victor recorded highlights of Sigmund Romberg's 'Desert Song' with Mario Lanza and Judith Raskin; reissued on CD in January 2011 Brody, Seymour "Sy" (1996).