Russian bass Sergei Aleksashkin has died at the age of 74.

The Mariinsky Theatre Company announced the news and said “it expresses its most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sergei Nikolaevich, his colleagues and friends.”

Born on Feb. 20, 1953, Aleksashkin studied at the Saratov Conservatory and later became part of the opera studio of the Teatro alla Scala.

He went on to become an ensemble member of the Mariinsky Theatre for 36 years. There he sang four dozen partsand was especially known of this Russian repertoire. He was awarded the Honored Artist of the RSFSR and People’s Artist of Russia.

Outside of Russia, Aleksashkin performed around the world including at the Met where ehe made his debut in 2001 and sang Prince Gremin in “Eugene Onegin” in HD. He also starred in the company’s “The Gambler.”

He also sang at the Salzburg Festival, Frankfurt Opera, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Semperoper Dresden, Nederlandse Opera in Amsterdam and the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Aleksashkin also toured in Australia, Japan, and South Korea.