Louise Parker, Opera Singer, Dies

Louise Parker, internationally known concert and opera singer, died here Monday in Lankenau Hospital. She was 60.

Parker, who maintained homes in Philadelphia and New York, also was a voice teacher at Temple University, Western Connecticut State College and the Jenkintown Music School.

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.