On June 6, 2026, mezzo-soprano Ute Walther has died at the age of 83.

Walther died after a long illness.

Born on June 23, 1942, Walther studied voice at the Musikhochschule Berlin and made her stage debut in 1968 at the Staatstheater Schwerin in the title role of “Der Rosenkavalier.” She moved on to the Volkstheater Rostock in 1974 where she remained until 1980.

The mezzo later made debut at the Staatsoper Dresden and went on to appear as the Composer in “Ariadne auf Naxos,” Ortrud in “Lohengrin.” Walther appeared in “Der Rosenkavalier” in February 1985 in the opening performance of the restored Semperoper.

From 1986 to her retirement in 2007, Walther was a member of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, where Götz Friedrich was intendant. With the company she went on to appear in more than 600 performances and went on tour with the company in Japan. She performed the Composer, Amneris in 65 performances, Fricka, Waltraute, Brangäne, and the Witch in “Hänsel und Gretel,” the role with which she retired from the house.

Walther also performed with the Wiener Staatsoper, Bolshoi Theatre, Cologne Opera, and Komische Oper Berlin

The mezzo left a couple of recordings including a live performance of “Der Rosenkavalier,” Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, “Die Walküre,” and “Das Schloß.”