Prominent contralto Lili Chookasian passed away
Prominent contralto in the world Lili Chookasian passed away on Tuesday at her home in Branford, Conn. She was 90, Ministry of Culture reported.
Chookasian was a principal singer with the Metropolitan Opera for a quarter-century, appearing there 290 times from 1962 to 1986. She also sang in recital and was a soloist with many of the world’s leading orchestras.
According to New York Times critics and opera goers hailed Chookasian as a “real contralto.” Where many contraltos are endowed with the lightish, dusky equivalent of a viola, her voice — immense, deep, velvety and burnished — put a cello at her command. She was also praised for her sensitive musicianship, powerful dramatic characterizations and impeccable diction.
In 1978 Chookasian performed in Armenian in the White House. Chookasian was awarded in 1981 Petros Adamyan medal.