Mezzo-soprano Rose-Ellen Nichols died at the age of 41 of cancer.

The Coast Salish mezzo-soprano received her Master’s in opera from the University of British Columbia. While at the university she sang productions of “Die Zauberflöte,” “Le Nozze Di Figaro,” and “Die Fledermaus.”

Following her graduation, she went on to perform in Canada and Europe, including at City Opera Vancouver, Vancouver Opera, and Calgary Opera. Her breakout came when she performed the premiere in the title role of “Pauline,” a chamber opera with libretto by Margaret Atwood and music by Tobin Stokes, produced by City Opera Vancouver in 2014.

She also went on to perform in the Czech Republic as Lapák and Paní Pásková in Janacek’s “The Cunning Little Vixen” and Filipievna in Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin.” She returned to Prague to perform in Mozart’s “Così Fan Tutte” at the Estates Theatre.

Nichols also performed at the Wexford Festival in productions of Puccini’s “Suor Angelica” and Menotti’s “The Old Maid and the Thief.”

Other roles that Nichols performed included the Native Mother in the November 2017 world première production of “Missing” by Marie Clements and Brian Current, a co-commission and co-production with POV and City Opera Vancouver.