Tenor William Reeder has died. Reeder’s career took him to the Zurich Opera, where for eight years was a leading operatic tenor. He went on to perform more than 40 leading tenor roles in 15 major opera houses throughout Europe. Reeder was the dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts and vice president and general manager of the {…}
President Emeritus of the Toledo Symphony Robert Bell has died. The Toledo Symphony said, “It is with deep sorrow that the Toledo Symphony and the Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts mourn the passing of Robert “Bob” Bell, beloved colleague, visionary leader, master timpanist, and the heart and soul of our institution for nearly 70 years.” In a statement, TAPA {…}
Bass-baritone Peter Strummer has died at 76. Praised for his “warm, firm, agile” voice, Strummer had an international career where he sang over 120 major roles, including eight world premieres. For 15 years, the bass-baritone performed in German and Austrian opera houses, where, in addition to opera roles, he sang many performances of German and Viennese operetta. He also spent {…}
(Photo credit: Studioline Photography) Tenor Peter Seiffert, known largely for his Wagnerian roles, passed away on April 14, at the age of 71. Seiffert was born in Düsseldorf on Jan. 4 1954, to opera singer Helmut Seiffert. As a young boy, Seiffert was a soloist in a Düsseldorf boys’ choir. He studied at the Musikhochschule in Düsseldorf and went on {…}
LA Opera has announced the death of Roberto Cani at the age of 57. In a statement, the company said, “We are heartbroken to share that Roberto Cani has sadly passed away. His tenure as LA Opera’s Stuart Canin Concertmaster began in 2011. Renowned on stages around the world, Roberto was a singular talent, invaluable leader, and incredible colleague. His {…}
Mexican tenor Juan del Bosco has died at the age of 41. Del Bosco was the founder and President of the International Summer Opera Festival of Morelia, which in its first year became the third largest Festival in Mexico. He was also the founder of Passion for the Opera, which aimed to support operatic vocal careers. Outside of his managerial {…}
(Credit: Marco Borgrreve) On March 31, 2025, conductor John Wilton Nelson died at the age of 83. Born in Costa Rica, on Dec. 6, 1941, Nelson studied at Wheaton College and later at the Juilliard School of Music with Jean Morel. Following his studies, he went on to become the music director of the Greenwich Philharmonia in Connecticut and the {…}
Tenor Vladimir Shcherbakov has died at the age of 86. Born on July 7, 1939 in Ashgabat, the Russian-born tenor studied at the Saratov Conservatory and graduated in 1968. That same year, he became a soloist at the Saratov Opera and Ballet Theatre. In 1977, he became a soloist at the Bolshoi Theatre and would stay with the company until {…}
American mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Russo has died at the age of 64. According to reports, Russo died of cancer. Born in 1960, Russo studied singing at Fordham University and Western Connecticut State University and went on to win top prizes in 1998 and 1999 in the Classical Productions vocal competition at Carnegie Hall. She was also a finalist in the Operafest {…}
Baritone Angelo Nardinocchi has died at the age of 81. Born in Italy, the baritone studied at the Conservatorio di S. Cecilia. Nardinocchi went on to make his debut in Spoleto as Marcello in “La Bohème.” A year after his debut he went on to perform the role of Rigoletto, a role that went on to become his signature. Following the {…}
Pianist Robert Sutherland has died. Born in 1930, Sutherland began his career as a pianist in the early 1970s. He was later chosen by Maria Callas to accompany her for what was to be the last series of recitals. He would become a friend and confidant and later wrote a book entitled “Maria Callas: Diaries of a Friendship,” which recounted {…}
