Elisabeth Söderström most human character in the drama." Born in Stockholm, Söderström received her first musical schooling from Adelaide von Skilondz and later studied at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm. She made her debut in 1947 at the Drottningholm Palace Theatre singing in one of Mozart's lesser-known works "Bastien et Bastienne". From 1949 to 1980 she called the Royal Swedish Opera her home but she frequently appeared at some of the largest opera houses in the world. She was also a regular visitor to the recording studio. Between 1959 and 1964 Söderström was contracted by the Metropolitan Opera in New
Vienna State Opera of the Staatsoper. Recent examples include "Peter Pan", "" ("The Dream Gobbler"), "Der 35. Mai" ("The 35th of May"), C. F. E. Horneman's "Aladdin", "Bastien und Bastienne" and "Wagners Nibelungenring für Kinder" ("Wagner's Ring for children"). In addition to this, there is a production of "The Magic Flute" every year for 9- and 10-year-olds, decorated like the Opernball. The opera house also has an opera school for boys and girls between the ages of eight and fourteen, which takes place in the afternoons after regular school. The children are introduced to music theatre and the prospect of becoming opera singers.