Joy Simpson; Opera Singer Was on Tour

Black American opera singer Joy Simpson, who collapsed on stage last week during a controversial South African tour, died Wednesday, a hospital staff officer said.

The 40-year-old soprano collapsed March 19 at the Cape Town City Hall after singing the spiritual, “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child.”

At first it was thought that her collapse was meant to add drama to the song, but doctors later diagnosed a serious brain hemorrhage and said she had slipped into a coma.

Miss Simpson was one of eight children of an illustrious Philadelphia musical family. A lyric soprano and member of the Tri-Cities Opera Co., she favored spirituals and gospel music.

She made her professional debut at Carnegie Hall in February, 1983, with the American Symphony Orchestra. Later that year, she sang in London’s Westminster Abbey as part of a tribute to the English philanthropist William Wilberforce, who was instrumental in the abolition of slavery in Britain in the 19th Century.

Her tour became controversial because she broke a cultural boycott of South Africa called by foes of apartheid. She was criticized by black leaders and by anti-apartheid musicians in the West.

She responded that she had come to South Africa to “bring hope to the oppressed people . . . a message of love and to spread good will.”

Miss Simpson attended the Juilliard School of Music and in 1976 won a prestigious vocal competition at the Philadelphia Academy of Music.