On Sept. 1, 2026, the founder of Virginia Opera Edythe C. Harrison died at the age of 91. The opera company announced the news via social media and said “Virginia Opera mourns the passing of Edythe C. Harrison, a remarkable public servant, civic leader, and devoted champion of the arts. Mrs. Harrison’s vision and leadership helped shape Virginia Opera and {…}
Conductor Antonino Fogliani has died at the age of 50. Born in Messina, Italy on June 29, 1976, the conductor studied composition at the Conservatorio “G. B. Martini” in Bologna and graduated with honours in orchestral conducting at the Milan Conservatory. Fogliani later continued his studies at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena. In 2001, he made his Rossini Opera Festival {…}
Former Associate Concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra Stanley Ritchie has died at the age of 91. Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music announced the news of the death of Australian violinist. Born in 1935, Ritchie graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 1956 and continued his studies in Paris and in the US. In 1963, he became concertmaster {…}
On August 20, 2026, German soprano Anny Schlemm died at the age of 97. Born on Feb. 22, 1929 in Neu-Isenburg, her parents ran a hairdresser salon there and her father, Friedrich Schlemm, was sent to voice teacher in Frankfurt by the tenor Franz Völker who also lived in Neu-Isenburg. After being trained as a singer he moved to Halle to {…}
(Credit: Norbert Meyn) Mezzo-soprano Laura Sarti has died at 102. Born in Trieste, Northern Italy, her family emigrated to Egypt during World War II, from where she moved to Britain. In Britain, she began her vocal studies and began her operatic career at Glyndebourne where she was chosen by Maestro Gui for the role of Berta in a production and {…}
Assistant Conductor Gildo di Nunzio has died at the age of 96. The Metropolitan Opera announced the news, stating that Di Nunzio was one of the most beloved and longest serving company members. Di Nunzio his debut in 1963 at the old Met opera house as a backstage conductor and for 54 years, he was a valued and cherished member of {…}
Legendary soprano Ileana Cotrubaș has died at the age of 87. Born in Galați, Romania on June 9, 1939, Cotrubaș grew up in a musical family with her father, Vasile a tenor in an amateur choir. At the age of nine, she began her musical career becoming a member of the children’s radio choir and at the age of 11, {…}
Dutch Bass Harry van der Kamp has died at the age of 79. Born in Kampen, Van der Kamp first studied law and psychology in Amsterdam and then went on to study singing with Elizabeth Cooymans and Max van Egmond at the Amsterdam Sweelinck Conservatory. Following his studies he went on to become known for Early music and Baroque, including {…}
Soprano Jill Gomez has died at the age of 83. Born in New Amsterdam, British Guiana (now Guyana), Gomez studied at the St. Joseph’s Convent (Port of Spain) in Trinidad and dominating at the islands’ biennial Music Festival. She then moved to England at 13, where she studied voice and piano at London’s Royal Academy of Music and Guildhall School {…}
Grange Park Opera has announced the death of Christina Gascoigne on August 14, 2026 at the age of 88. Gascoigne was an artist who alongside her late husband Bamber Gascoigne gave their inherited estate of West Horsley Place to found Grange Park Opera. In a statement the opera company said, “We are very sad to bring the news that Christina {…}
The Royal Ballet & Opera has announced the death of David Gowland, who passed away on August 9, 2026 after a long battle with cancer. In a statement, the company said, “The Royal Opera is deeply saddened to hear of the death of David Gowland, Artistic Director of the Jette Parker Artists Programme, at the age of 63. As the {…}