Pilou, an opera and concert soprano, born in Egypt of Greek heritage, has died aged 82. She was particularly associated with the French operatic repertoire – Gounod’s ‘Faust’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet’, Debussy’s ‘Pelléas et Mélisande’, Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ and Poulenc’s ‘La voix humane’ – although she sang Verdi and Puccini, notably at Covent Garden. Latterly she taught in Athens.

 – Philip L. Scowcroft