Margalit Fox's Blog, page 9

Brenda Lewis, Versatile American Soprano, Is Dead at 96

A singing actress known for performing work by contemporary composers, Ms. Lewis originated signal roles in the opera house and on the Broadway stage.

Halim El-Dabh, Composer of Martha Graham Ballets, Dies at 96

An Egyptian-American composer, Mr. El-Dabh was best known for the haunting, Eastern-inflected scores for “Clytemnestra” and other ballets by Ms. Graham.

Frances Gabe, Creator of the Only Self-Cleaning Home, Dies at 101

Equal parts quixotic dreamer and accomplished visionary, Ms. Gabe made the house do its own scrubbing.

Sheila Michaels, Who Brought ‘Ms.’ to Prominence, Dies at 78

Dissatisfied with other honorifics for women, Ms. Michaels undertook “a timid eight-year crusade” to usher the term back into being after decades of disuse.

Paul Zukofsky, Prodigy Who Became, Uneasily, a Virtuoso Violinist, Dies at 73

Mr. Zukofsky, a musician of immense talent and exacting standards, had a life marked by strained relationships.

Paul Zukofsky, Virtuoso Violinist and Literary Executor, Dies at 73

Mr. Zukofsky, a musician of immense talent and exacting standards, had a life marked by uneasy relationships.

Edith Shiffert, a Poet Inspired by Nature and Her Life in Japan, Dies at 101

The American author of nearly two dozen volumes of poetry was known for having an affinity with the natural world.

Jean Fritz, Who Wrote History Books for Children, Dies at 101

Her works were full of human narratives and quirks, backed by engaging prose and deep archival research.

Chuck Davis, Who Brought African Dance Traditions to America, Dies at 80

Mr. Davis, founder of the DanceAfrica festival, lived by the mantra “Peace, love and respect for everybody.”

Michael Ballhaus, an Oscar-Nominated Cinematographer, Dies at 81

Mr. Ballhaus, who was nominated for three Academy Awards, was a favorite of Martin Scorsese, Rainer Werner Fassbinder and other notable directors.