Who are your three favorite female singers?

Opera - Claudia Muzio      Rosa Ponselle      Roberta Peters
Pop - Ruth Etting      Ella Fitzgerald     Judy Garland

@ sondeknz The question was top 3, not a list of 90.   I have 42,000 LPs/78s/CDs.  I chose my top three from recordings dating back 100 years, of which 20% have female singers.  I don't doubt you prefer nearly all contemporary singers but there have been more accomplished singers over the period of recordings (although you mention Fitzgerald and Garland).

Lorraine Feather - Astonishing voice and writes great lyricsTierney Sutton - A true professionalJane Monheit - Very skilled, great voice
I'd put Emmy Rossum on the list if she'd stop recording pop schlock and record some good material (jazz). Outstanding skill, can sing for beauty and power. She's a great actress, but there are other great actresses. She's a top level singer.

Some others: Cassandra Wilson, Maureen McGovern, Lena Horne

Eydie Gorme
Julie London
Ella

K.D. Lang, Karen Carpenter and Joni Mitchell