Carol Louise Smith Zanforlin of Owensboro, KY, an international opera star and celebrated contralto, died at the age of 95, on June 6, 2021, in Marseilles surrounded by her loving family.

Private services were held with Seals-Campbell Funeral Home handling arrangements.

Carol was born February 20, 1926, in Oak Park, IL to William and Mary Jane (Coppock) Smith. Carol married first violinist of Opera House of Zurich, Audinoff Zanforlin who preceded her in death.

Carol led an amazing life, which took her to an international stage. During her grade school years, she uncovered her amazing talent for music. By the age of 18, she had won best female vocal performance and best contralto at Chicago Tribune Music Festival contest. A series of successes followed which allowed her to study and train as an opera singer in Italy with Mario Cordone. For twelve years, she was a soloist of the Bach Aria Group. The Herald-Tribune hailed her as "one of the finest young contraltos heard" and "one of the most beautiful voices" was stated by the New York Times. She toured with New York City Opera, San Carlo Opera Neapal, was a regular star of "Chicago Theatre of the Air", played operatic roles, and was a soloist for the Chicago Symphony, the Indianapolis Symphony, and Rochester Symphony. Her wide experience took her internationally to Milan's La Scala (foremost considered the best opera house in the world, where she became the first American singer offered a permanent contract), Deutsche Opera House in Berlin, State Operas of Vienna, Hamburg and Munich, and Opera of Geneva. Carol made appearances in many major international festivals also including Salzburg Austria that was made famous in "The Sound of Music".

She was a voice teacher at the Musik Hoch Schule Zurick from 1979 to 1984, and then at the Indiana University in Bloomington. Lenard Bernstein wrote a book about her.

She is survived by her nephews, Robert, Bruce, Harry, and Jeff.

The online guest book may be viewed, and remembrances shared at www.sealscampbell.com .

Seals-Campbell Funeral Home

1009 E. Bluff St., Marseilles, IL 61341

815-795-5151 www.sealscampbell.com