We are sad to report that world-famous opera singer Beverly Sills is critically ill with cancer.  Her publicist issued this statement on Thursday:

"It's grave. This whole matter of this discovery of cancer has been just about four weeks now. Up until that she had no idea," publicist Edgar Vincent said. He did not release details on the nature of her cancer.

Sill is currently in a New York hospital for a broken rib, or she would be at home Vincent said. 

Sills, 78, resigned as chairwoman of the Metropolitan Opera in 2005, an opera house at which she did not make her official debut until 1975, five years before she retired from the stage.

Prior to her Met job, Beverly was chairwoman of the New York City Opera, where she first achieved stardom as a singer and became the most famous American opera singer.

Nicknamed "Bubbles" and known for her red hair and gifted coloratura soprano voice, Sills was famed for performances in such productions as "The Magic Flute" and "Lucia di Lammermoor."

She is in our thoughts and prayers.