Obituary Elvira Ouzounian, Noted Opera Star of Armenia

She toured internationally, including in Germany, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Yugoslavia, Egypt, Bulgaria and Southeast Asia as well as in Canada and the United States. Her debut concert tour in the US included a performance at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 1970. Elvira was awarded as People’s Artist of Armenia in 1978 and People’s Artist of Georgia in 1985, one of only a few performers to receive the highest state honor from more than one constituent republic of the Soviet Union. 

Following the Soviet Union’s collapse, Elvira made her home in Belmont and later Watertown, where she devoted her energies to helping the next generation of musical talent. She delighted in the opportunity to foster the development of young Armenian singers through a philanthropic fund she founded, Help Young Talents.  

Elvira sought to give exposure to Armenian artists through concerts that included pairing musicians from the Yerevan State Conservatory with Boston’s Longy School of Music. She worked together with the New Names of Armenia organization to help bring gifted children to Boston for performances, including at a memorable 2003 concert marking the centenary of composer Aram Khachaturian’s birth. 

She was the wife of the late Robert Makaryan who predeceased her in 2016. She is survived by her sister Lora Ouzounian of Watertown, her daughter Zara Ouzounian-Halpin and granddaughter Lara Ouzounian-Halpin and her son-in-law Anthony Halpin, all of London.  

Funeral Services were held at Holy Cross Armenian Catholic Church, 200 Lexington Street, Belmont on June 3. The services were preceded by a brief musical tribute followed by the funeral service. Interment was private. Those wishing to make a donation in her memory instead may do so to Holy Cross Armenian Catholic Church.