Celia Lobo, opera diva and mother of choreographer Ashley Lobo, dies at 87

Vocal coach and musical theatre director Celia Lobo has died following a prolonged illness, her family said on Thursday

Vocal coach and musical theatre director Celia Lobo has died following a prolonged illness, her family said on Thursday. She was 87.

Celia passed away on Tuesday morning at her home surrounded by family, including her son and celebrated choreographer Ashley Lobo.

Ashley, known for his work in Imtiaz Ali films such as Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kal, and Tamasha, penned a heartfelt note on Instagram in memory of his mother.

Touted as India's only opera diva, Celia is also survived by daughters Deirdre Lobo, a vocal coach, and Carolyn Vincent, a philanthropist.

Born in 1937, the artiste was raised by the Baptistas, a musical family steeped in operatic traditions. In the 1960s, she joined the Bombay Madrigal Singers Organisation (BMSO), which staged operas in Mumbai.

She went on to study at London's Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and subsequently worked with the BMSO once she returned to India.

At BMSO, Celia played the female lead in "Tosca" by Giacomo Puccini, Gaetano Donizetti’s "Lucia di Lammermoor", Giuseppe Verdi’s "La Traviata" and "Rigoletto", and Vincenzo Bellini’s "Norma".