(Photo credit: Richard Ecclestone)

Baritone, choral director, composer, and teacher Robert Rice has passed away.

Rice was born in London, England. He studied music on a choral scholarship at King’s College, Cambridge. He went on to complete postgrad work at the Royal Academy of Music.

Rice performed an extensive repertoire including opera, oratorio, and choral works. In 2007, he was invited to perform on tour with Opera Circus. He also performed with Opera East Productions. He premiered Andrew Edwards’ “Christmas Story,” Jacques Cohen’s “Exodus Fragment,” and Paul Drayton’s “St Mark Passion.” Rice recorded the role of Judas in “The Apostles” with Canterbury Choral Society and the Philharmonia Orchestra, and his version of Cornelius’ “Die Drei Könige” with the choir Polyphony.

Outside of performing he led workshops with the National Youth Choir, Eton Choral Courses, and Oxford and Cambridge Universities to name a few. Novello & Co. Ltd published many of his vocal arrangements, which have been sung worldwide, and have been recorded, by the King’s Singers.

Rice passed away on Feb. 26.