Obituaries - July 19, 1999

Meir Ariel; Israeli Singer, Songwriter

Meir Ariel, 57, Israeli songwriter and singer whose works in Hebrew became classics of modern Israeli music. Ariel wrote the words to hundreds of songs, many of which entered the canon of pop and rock music. His songs were sung by Israeli greats, including David Broza, Shalom Hanoch and Yehuda Poliker. About 10 years ago, Ariel began performing his works himself as well as providing musical material for others. He was born and grew up on a communal farm, Kibbutz Mishmarot. On Sunday in Tel Aviv of complications from an infection.

Louise Caselotti; Opera Singer

Louise Caselotti, 88, opera singer and voice teacher whose students included Maria Callas. Born in Bridgeport, Conn., Caselotti moved to Los Angeles with her family as a child and studied with her father, the voice teacher Guido Caselotti. She made her debut with the San Carlo Opera Company in 1927 at Los Angeles’ old Philharmonic Auditorium and went on to perform in cities around the nation. Caselotti was particularly known for her performance in the title role of “Carmen,” which she sang more than 400 times. She was also memorable as the gypsy Azucena in “Il Travatore,” a role she performed from coast to coast. Her teaching career extended for six decades in Los Angeles and New York. Her best-known pupil, Callas, whom she coached in the late 1940s, became a legendary opera star. Caselotti also performed in Italian motion pictures in the early 1930s when talkies--and singing--were first made. On July 13 in Malibu of cancer.

Donal McCann; Starred in ‘The Dead’

Donal McCann, 56, Irish actor who starred in director John Huston’s final film, “The Dead.” The 1987 movie, in which McCann and Huston’s daughter, Anjelica, played Gabriel and Gretta, a clamorous couple with a melancholy secret, was based on a short story by James Joyce. The story described two Dublin spinsters throwing a dinner for their relatives and friends. McCann also appeared in the films “Out of Africa” in 1985 and “High Spirits” in 1988. He was a star of the 1970s British television series, “The Pallisers,” and in the British Isles was a respected stage actor. Among his recent critically acclaimed appearances was in “The Steward of Christendom” at London’s Royal Court Theater. On Sunday in Dublin after a long, undisclosed illness.