ELIZABETH PARCELLS

Age 54, coloratura soprano of Grosse Pointe Farms. Singer Elizabeth Parcells died of cancer on December 29, 2005 at her home one day after her 54th birthday. At age 16 she began her formal music education attending the Interlochen Arts Academy, Michigan. She earned a Bachelor (1974) and Master (1976) of Music with honors at the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, Massachusetts, where she studied voice with Mark Pearson. In 1977 she was a winner of the Metropolitan Opera Council National Final Auditions in New York City. She moved to Europe in 1979 where she sang with solo ensembles at opera houses in Frankfort, Augsburg and Weisbaden and spent four seasons with the Basel Opera. She was also an active recitalist who performed in Boston, San Francisco, Rome and Paris. Starting in 1987 she gave recitals with guitarist Felix Justen. In April 1996 she was invited to participate with Luciano Pavarotti and Joan Sutherland in the gala concert that opened the new Detroit Opera House. Her farewell recital was given at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York in February, 2005 under Pro Musicis' sponsorship. Elizabeth performed in opera productions in Europe and America for 30 years. Her major roles included Donizetti's Maria Stuarda, Lucia di Lammermoor and Linda di Chamounix. She appeared regularly as Queen of the Night in Mozart's The Magic Flute and as Olympia in Offenbach's Tales of Hoffman. Her concert repertoire included Bach's Cantata 51, the Brahms Requiem and Mozart's C Minor Mass, Motet and concert arias. Recital work included 10 years of regular performances with Felix Justen in their voice and guitar duo. This is only a small portion of Elizabeth's accomplishments. For a more complete list including audio, please visit her official web site at www.ElizabethParcells.com. Ms. Parcells is survived by her father Charles A. Parcells, Jr., her dear friend and companion, Ric Hill, siblings, Charles, III, Ann (Robert) Benoit, Frederick (Ellin), Kathryn (Alan Wasserman), David and niece Claire Frances Parcells. She was predeceased by her mother, Frances Hamilton Parcells. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 3 from 2-9 p.m. at Chas. Verheyden Funeral Home, 16300 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe (313-881-8500). Funeral Service Wednesday, January 4, 3 p.m. at Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church, 8625 East Jefferson Ave., Detroit (313-822-3456). Memorial donations cen be made to the Huron City Museums, cancer research, The New England Conservatory of Music, The Interlochen Arts Academy and/or the Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church.