Janet Pavek, an actress and singer who performed major musical theatre and opera roles in New York, London and regionally, died Jan. 6 in New Port Richey, FL. She was 72, and the cause of death was complications resulting from liver failure.

At the age of 16, Ms. Pavek was cast in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Broadway musical Me and Juliet. Other Broadway roles include the title role in Fanny, Guenevere in Camelot, Christine and Ankles Aweigh.

In 1961 Pavek made her operatic debut with the New York City Center Opera Company and in the spring of 1963 was signed to a contract by the Metropolitan Opera Company, making her debut in Puccini's La Boheme, where she won critical acclaim for her portrayal of Musetta.

Pavek also sang leading roles with the Pittsburgh Opera Company, the Fort Worth Opera Company and the Cincinnati and San Francisco Opera companies. Her repertoire included the title role in Manon Lescaut, Liu in Turandot, Nedda in Pagliacci, Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus, and many other lead soprano roles.

In her youth Ms. Pavek was a recipient of the Martha Baird Rockefeller Foundation Award for musical achievement and the Sullivan Foundation Award for gifted singers. She appeared in concert and recital performances throughout the United States, Europe, Israel and South America. In her later years she taught voice to private students.

Source: Playbill.com obit