Barbara (Monique Serf); Popular French Singer

Barbara, whose full name was Monique Serf, 67, twice named best female singer of the year in France. The popular soprano had recently canceled performances because of respiratory problems. In 1994, and again this year, Barbara earned a Victoire award, France’s equivalent of a Grammy, for best female singer of the year. Her last album, “In Red Letters,” was issued last fall. Her most famous song was “Aigle Noir” (Black Eagle). Born Monique Serf in Paris, she received classical training in piano and voice at the Paris Conservatory. But she decided to devote her career to cabaret, and made her debut at a small club in Brussels in 1950. She often accompanied herself on the piano, and in the mid-1980s wrote and performed “Lilly Passion” with Gerard Depardieu. French President Jacques Chirac said her voice “is already missed by the nation.” On Monday in Paris of toxic shock syndrome.