The late Colin Mason was a great friend, well-known for his characteristic generosity in sharing sought after snowdrop with other collectors. In 2013 he spotted an G. elwesii with superb heavy apical markings on its outer segments and single marked inner segment which place it with var. monostictus. He handed me the loan bulbs one day for chipping and ultimately introducing. He eventually chose to name his find after the famous contralto whose singing voice he had greatly admired and to whom he said he would listen to in challenging times.