Hermann Sapell, a legendary ensemble member of the Bayerische Staatsoper, has died.

Born in Holzkirchen, Germany, Sapell took private singing lessons in Munich and began his career from 1965 to 1968 at the Koblenz City Theater.

Following three years at the theater, he joined the Bayerische Staatsoper as a member of the opera studio and remained with the studio from 1968 to 1970. In 1970, he became a member of the ensemble at the Munich house and went on to sing over 2,300 performances. In 1991, he became a Bavarian Kammersänger and continued to sing such as roles the steward in “Der Rosenkavalier,” Ulrich Eißlinger in “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg,” and the third Jew in “Salome.”

Sapell was featured in numerous recordings from the Bayerische Staatsoper including “Werther” with Plácido Domingo and Brigitte Fassbaender, and “Die Frau ohn Schatten” with Astrid Varnay.