On July 13, 2026, Pedro Ignacio Calderón died at the age of 92. His death was announced by the Argentine Secretary of Culture, Leonardo Cifelli. Born in Paraná, Entre Ríos, Argentina, on Dec. 31, 1933, Calderón enrolled in music lessons by his mother at the age of seven and at 13 went to Buenos Aires and began studying at the {…}
On July 12 2026, Dr. George Jimmy Zack died at the age of 90. Born on July 8, 1936, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Zack received a Bachelor of Music at Wichita State University in 1958 focusing on theory and composition and graduating cum laude. He completed a Master of Music at the University of Michigan in 1960 studying theory and {…}
The Florentine Opera has announced the death of Donald Baumgartner. The company said, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Donald Baumgartner, one of Milwaukee’s greatest champions of the arts and a foundational pillar of the Florentine Opera family. ” Baumgartner served the company as a dedicated board leader and Life Director and in 2017, he and his wife, {…}
On July 10, Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre’s Artistic Director Jamie J. Offenbach passed away after a private battle with cancer. The Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre’s Board President shared a statement saying, “We have lost a brilliant colleague, a generous mentor, a creative showman, and a dear friend. Jamie carried within him a rare constellation of gifts—talent, energy, vision, humor, and warmth. His {…}
On July 8, 2026, Czech baritone Martin Matoušek has died at the age of 53. According to Opera Plus the baritone died of an aortic rupture. Born on Feb. 21, 1973, Matoušek began studying clarinet, piano, and saxophone at the Army School of Music and in 1991 began studying voice at the Prague Conservatory. He continued his studies from 1996 {…}
The board and staff of Opera Canada has announced the passing of Rob Herriot on July 3 at 60 years old. Herriot was well-known across North America for his work in both opera and musical theatre. Throughout his career he had a long relationship with both Nuova and Manitoba Opera and directed such operas as “Così fan tutte” at Vancouver Opera {…}
Opera singer Margaret Kingsley has died at the age of 87. Born Cornwall, Kingsley studied in London at the Royal College of Music, and later joined the chorus at Glyndebourne. At Glyndeborune she made her debut as a soloist in 1966 as the First Lady in “Die Zauberflöte” and later went on to sing Donn Elvira and Lady Macbeth. She later {…}
American mezzo-soprano Mignon Dunn has died at the age of 98. Dunn was born on June 17, 1928 in Memphis, Tennessee and grew up in Tyronza, Arkansas. Dunn went on to study with Karin Branzell and Beverley Peck Johnson and made her professional debut, in the title role of Bizet’s opera “Carmen,” on Sept. 8, 1955, at the New Orleans {…}
Soprano Erie Mills has died at the age of 73. Mills was born in Granite City, Illinois and graduated from the College of Wooster (Ohio) and the University of Illinois. Mills began her career at the Houston Grand Opera Studio artist where she trained from 1977 to 1979. She made her Houston debut during the 1978–79 season as Zdenka in {…}
The New Orleans Opera Association has announced the passing of Jonathan McCall. McCall was a cherished friend, benefactor, and board member for the opera company. McCall was passionate about opera and for multiple terms, served on the Board of Directors of the New Orleans Opera Association, providing guidance during periods of both celebration and challenge. Whether attending performances, welcoming patrons, {…}
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 {…}