Concert and Opera Singer Louise Parker Dies at 60

PHILADELPHIA —  Louis Parker, internationally known concert and opera singer, died here Monday in Lakenau Hospital. She was 60.

A contralto, she debuted in New York in 1958 and later took the role of Addie in the New York City Opera production of Marc Blitzstein’s “Regina.” She toured frequently in Europe and also performed in India, Indonesia and the British West Indies.

Parker, who began studying music at the age of 8, was a two-time recipient of the Marian Anderson Scholarship. She was the first black graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music.