sentences:  While maintaining a particular relationship with French opera houses (Toulouse, Rouen, Bordeaux, Avignon, Nice) and still a member of the Bucharest Opera, Cortez sang her first performances in Barcelona (Gran Teatre del Liceu, "La favorita", 1969), Vienna (Staatsoper, "Don Carlo", 1969), Salzburger Festspiele ("Carmen", 1969), Naples (Teatro di San Carlo, "Norma" and "Aida" opposite Leyla Gencer), and Paris (Grand Opera, "Carmen", 1970).By 1970, Cortez was being considered by virtually every major opera house, but for a Romanian artist, getting out of the country was a major challenge, often insurmountable.The lack of a passport and endless difficulties with the authorities were obstacles not only for her, but for every Romanian performer who hoped for an international career.