A lot of people went to Saint Nicolae Church in Chisinau on the afternoon of May 18 to bid farewell to the National Opera Prima Donna Maria Biesu, Info-Prim Neo reports. The people said with tears in their eyes that Maria Biesu was for them a value, a history and pride. “She was a simple lady with a great soul who loved her country and the people. It is a huge loss for Moldova. Owing to her, the whole world knows us,” said one of the admirers of Maria Biesu, Maria Postolache. The head of “Vasile Vasilache” High School Vera Balanel said that she has a picture of Maria Biesu with her autograph, which she keeps in the family album. “I only started teaching when a film was made about her. Photographs of that film remained at my home and I keep them all in the family album. Maria Biesu is a great value of our people. She made us known abroad and I think God will accept her with the open arms,” said the woman. “The singer’s death is an irrecoverable loss for our people. Such great people as Maria Biesu and Grigore Vieru will be never forgotten. They will always remain in our hearts,” said admirer Olga Mandru. Maria Biesu died from an incurable disease on May 16. This year, the soprano would have turned 77. She will be buried on May 19, but before the burial the people can say goodbye to her at the National Opera House, where her coffin will be laid tomorrow.