Stefan Paul Sanchez, the founder of the European Chamber Opera and Grand Opera Thailand, passed away on July 18. He was 65.

Sanchez was born on Dec. 13, 1954 and was raised in Morocco (where he went to kindergarten), Spain (primary school ), and England (grammar school). He eventually kicked off his career as an opera singer, studying singing and piano at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He would then study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, before heading to the Escuela Superior de Canto in Madrid.

In 1992, he founded the European Chamber Opera, and in 1998, he was made Associate of the Royal Academy of Music. He would later become the Founding Artistic Director of Holland Park Opera and founded Grand Opera Thailand. In 2001, he would become the Artistic Director of the London City Opera.

He also directed several operas around the world, while teaching and coaching at several prestigious companies around the globe.