Mira Zakai — Israeli contralto, concert singer and educator

Career and repertoire

Zakai's repertoire leaned toward works that highlighted the contralto voice: large-scale choral and orchestral pieces, Baroque sacred music and selected operatic parts. She appeared as a soloist in major festivals and concert halls, singing works by composers ranging from J. S. Bach to late-Romantic symphonists. Notable early concert appearances included performances of the Mass in B minor by Bach, where her role as a soloist drew praise for clarity and warmth.

Collaborations and notable performances

Zakai worked with leading conductors and instrumentalists of her time. One recurring collaborator was the violinist and conductor Yehudi Menuhin, with whom she performed in festival settings and special events. She took part in a memorable concert held at Castel Gandolfo for Pope John Paul II, an engagement that exemplified the international and ecumenical reach of her concert work.

Recordings and recognition

Her recording activity included symphonic and choral repertoire. A landmark in her discography was the recording of Mahler's Symphony No. 2 under the baton of Georg Solti, which received wide critical attention and won a Grammy Award for Best Overall Classical Recording in 1982. This and other studio projects helped introduce her voice to a broad international audience and secured her place among noted contraltos of her generation.

Teaching, influence and legacy

Beyond performing, Zakai was active in education. She studied at what is today known as Tel Aviv University and later served on its faculty, teaching voice and mentoring young singers. Her dual role as performer and professor meant she influenced both public audiences and the next generation of Israeli musicians. Colleagues and students remember her for a combination of musical seriousness, a focus on textual clarity, and dedication to vocal technique.

Final years

Mira Zakai died on 20 May 2019 after complications following a stroke suffered the year before. Her death was noted by colleagues, institutions and media as the loss of a significant Israeli artist who had bridged concert, sacred and educational spheres. Selected recordings and live performances remain available and continue to introduce her voice to new listeners.

Selected recordings and performances

• Mahler: Symphony No. 2 — with Georg Solti (Grammy-winning project)
• Bach: Mass in B minor — festival and concert solo appearances
• Collaborations with Yehudi Menuhin, including a concert at Castel Gandolfo

Further reading and listening can be found through conservatory archives, recorded anthologies and university catalogs that document her teaching and discography. For contemporary summaries and obituaries see institutional notices and music press accounts archived after her death.