BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhuanet)-- A famous American soprano fired by the Royal Opera House because of her weight has been rehired after undergoing stomach surgery and losing 61kg, her spokesperson and the prestigious theatre said on Sunday.

    Californian Deborah Voigt, one of the world's top opera singers, was sacked by the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in London, from her role in Richard Strauss's opera Ariadne on Naxos in 2004.

    She was too fat, the opera house said.

    She now has a contract to return to the role in the 2007-2008 season, a Royal Opera spokesperson said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the house does not officially announce its casts so far in advance.

    Voigt underwent gastric bypass surgery in June 2004. She has since lost 61 kilograms. She said she had worn size 30 clothes at her biggest. She is now a size 14 and well on her way to a slinky size 12. Enditem

    (Agencies)