Operatic legend Beverly SILLS was an American soprano who was renowned for her performances in operas by Mozart, Handel, and Rossini. She was a regular performer at the New York City Opera and the Metropolitan Opera, and was the first American to be appointed as the general director of the New York City Opera. SILLS was also a popular television personality, appearing on shows such as The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Muppet Show. She was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1985 and was inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in 2006.