Sofia Noël, z"l
From Judith Cohen:
While we are still reeling from the loss of Adrienne—waking up wondering how she could not be here—just learned that Sofia Noël passed away on December 27, at the age of 96. I met her only once, in the early 80s when I was just beginning to work on Sephardic music, and she was friendly, to the point, elegant... Sofia Noel was both Sephardic and Ashkenazi; she fled Brussels for Spain during World War II. A classically trained singer, she performed Spanish chamber music, as well as Hassidic songs, and songs from different cultures, including a "three cultures" approach long before it became de rigueur. She also carried out research, published articles, taught enthusiastically, and brought Sephardic (and other) music to a wide public through her radio broadcasts. In the '70s and '80s many people in the world of Spanish folk music mentioned her frequently; since her retirement from public life, her central role in bringing Sephardic music to people's attention has become less and less known. For those who read Spanish, more information at www.rtve.es/radio/20111228/fallece-sofia-noel-voz-sefarad/485525.shtml
