Tributes are flowing in the wake of the news that the Italian soprano Renata Scotto died, aged 89, in her hometown of Savona.

Australian singer Jessica Pratt, who studied under Scotto in Italy, wrote:

“Renata believed in me when no one else did, she single-handedly created my first opportunities to perform onstage and I will be forever thankful for that and more. She was tough, demanding and incredibly intelligent. She taught me to respect the score, about the colours we could make with our voices, not just the notes. She demonstrated the cupo sound in lessons to our shock and awe.”

Scotto was “ever the glamorous Diva”, Pratt recalled. “I remember one day of lessons where she insisted on wearing heals even with a twisted ankle. She held us to the high standard she held herself and always told us what she thought, good or bad. She was also caring, a lot of fun and had a great sense of humour. She gave so much to this art form in so many ways, as a singer, stage director, mentor and teacher. She touched so many lives and will be missed by us all.”