Ian Herbert, the long-serving principal clarinet of the Royal Opera House Orchestra, died on Dec. 12. He was 96.

Herbert studied at the Royal Academy of Music from 1952-55. He went on the hold the principal seat for nearly 40 years, from 1958- 97. During this period he made over a hundred operatic and ballet recordings including the 1994 “La Traviata” with Solti, and “Così fan tutte” with Colin Davis. He was a  featured soloist in “The Trojans” and “La Clemenza Di Tito,” both with Colin Davis.

Outside of the Royal Opera House, Herbert worked as guest principal with the London Symphony, London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, Philharmonia, Academy of St. Martins-in-the-Fields, English National Opera, and the Nash Ensemble.

Herbert’s playing is featured in many film and TV soundtracks including “House of Elliot,” “He Who would be King,” “House of Cards,” “Death on the Nile”,” Christabel,” “Soldier Soldier,” “Midsommer Murders,” and “Great Expectations.”

He was a member of the Royal Society of Musicians of Great Britain. In 1998, he was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Music in 1998.