Beverly Sills: 1929-2007

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis.

The great American soprano Beverly Sills died today, aged 78. She was, in addition to her career as a singer, a passionate advocate for the arts and was involved deeply in their promotion in the United States. It is indeed a sad day for opera, music, and - indeed - the arts in America. One does hope, though, that her family takes solace in the joy she brought to millions.

In paradisum deducant te Angeli; in tuo adventu suscipiant te martyres, et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Ierusalem. Chorus angelorum te suscipiat, et cum Lazaro quondam paupere æternam habeas requiem.