Young South African soprano makes high-profile Met debut

NEW YORK - Some young singers make their Metropolitan Opera debuts in low-profile fashion, perhaps joining the company in a minor role or slipping into the second cast of a routine revival. Not Golda Schultz.

The South African soprano became an instant star on the third night of the new season, singing the lead role in Mozart's Die Zauberfloete (The Magic Flute) in Julie Taymor's fantastical production.

Her conductor was no less than James Levine, the company's music director emeritus. And her debut run got even higher visibility on Saturday when the final performance was broadcast live in HD to movie theaters worldwide.