Swedish soprano Elisabeth Soderstrom, considered one of the most versatile opera stars of the postwar period, has died. She was 82.

Soderstrom died in Stockholm early Friday of complications from a stroke, according to her husband, Sverker Olow.

Soderstrom sang all over the world and was contracted to the Metropolitan Opera in New York from 1959 to 1964 and 1983 to 1987.

Acknowledged for the superb condition of her voice well into her 60s, Soderstrom was also recognized for her interpretation of Janacek, interpreting his female characters, the Countess, Octavian and Mélisande, during the 1970s, when the Czech composer enjoyed a renaissance.

She was noted for being able to sing the high soprano solos of Beethoven's Missa solemnis and won acclaim for lieder recordings of Russian and Swedish composers.

Born May 7, 1927, in Stockholm to a Swedish father and Russian mother, Soderstrom studied with a former singer at the Imperial Opera of St. Petersburg.

She made her debut at the Drottningholm Court Theatre in 1947, singing Mozart, and the following year sang in Grétry's Le Tableau Parlant.

In 1949, she changed to the Swedish Royal Opera and became a star, recording frequently and taking roles ranging from Pamina and Violetta in Les Contes d'Hofman to the title role in Jenufa.

She made her Glyndebourne debut in 1957 and sang at Covent Garden and at the Salzburg Festival. She also visited Australia, where she debuted as Emilia Marty.

Soderstrom was decorated many times in her native country.

From 1991 to 1996, she was the director of the Drottningholm Opera Festival and also worked successfully as a stage director.

With files from The Associated Press