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Camilla Williams, opera pioneer, dies

INDIANAPOLIS

African-American opera pioneer Camilla Williams has died in Bloomington. She was 92.

Williams’ attorney, Eric Slotegraaf, said in a statement that the soprano died Sunday.

Indiana University Jacobs School of Music spokesman Alain Barker said Williams died of complications from cancer.

The school says Williams became the first African-American female to appear with a major U.S. opera company when she debuted May 15, 1946, with New York City Opera in the title role of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.”

She became the first African-American professor of voice at IU in 1977 and retired in 1997.

MacLaine to join ‘Downton Abbey’

LONDON

Oscar-winning actress Shirley MacLaine is joining Britain’s popular television series “Downton Abbey.”

The 77-year-old will join the cast when filming starts next month.

She will play the mother of Lady Grantham, portrayed by Elizabeth McGovern, in the third season of the hit period drama, which took Golden Globe and Emmy prizes for best miniseries or TV movie.

Gareth Neame of Carnival Films, which produces the show, said Monday that MacLaine’s character will be a “wonderful combatant” for Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess.

Vindicator wire services