American opera singer Janis Martin has passed away, aged 75, at her home in San Antonio, Texas. Martin began her career as mezzo-soprano at the San Francisco Opera. Later she changed her repertoire, singing soprano roles. As such she gained international recognition in the 1970s and ’80s. She sang leading roles in opera houses throughout Europe and the United States. She is particularly known for her performances in the operas of Richard Wagner and sang at the Bayreuth Festival from 1968 to 1997. Her Metropolitan Opera debut came in 1962. She participated in 147 performances at the Met between 1962 and 1997. Martin sang with the Deutsche Oper Berlin from 1971 to 1988 and her name was often on the bill at La Scala as well as at the Vienna State Opera, Martin retired from the stage in 2000.