The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced the passing of bass Ivan Sardi.

The singer died on Feb. 23, 2019, and became a staple of the opera house throughout 36 years.

Born in 1930, in Budapest, Hungary, Sardi made his Deutsche Oper debut in 1961 in the role of Masetto in “Don Giovanni” and would follow that in the premiere of Giselher Klebe’s “Alkmene.”

Sardi went on to sing at some of the world’s greatest theaters and was part of numerous world premieres. Among those were “Young Lord” and “Temple Brand.” He was also well-known for his portrayals of Padre Guardiano in “La Forza del Destino,” Sparafucile in “Rigoletto,” the Verdi Requiem and “Don Giovanni.”

Sardi retired from the stage in 1997 but was often at the Deutsche Oper Berlin because his wife played with the company’s orchestra.

Sardi was featured on numerous recordings including the Ferenc Fricsay conducted “Don Giovanni” with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, “La Traviata” with Renata Tebaldi,  and “Tosca” with Pilar Lorengar.

Here he is in Verdi’s Requiem.