Legendary bass-baritone José van Dam died on Feb. 17, 2026 at the age of 85. The news was announced by The Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in a statement that said, “Belgium loses its greatest ambassador of lyric art; the world loses a legend whose genius shaped the operatic history of the 20th and 21st centuries. But above all, the Music {…}
Tenor Wolfgang Schmidt has died at the age of 69. Born in Melsungen near Kassel, he went on to study voice at the Frankfurt Hochschule für Musik and won an award from the Hindemith Foundation for his special achievements. While still a student he performed frequently in concert, traveling through all of western Europe as well as to Poland, the {…}
Soprano Marcella de Osma has died at the age of 92. Soprano Saioa Hernández first shared the news stating, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our beloved Marcella de Osma, a world-renowned artist and, above all, a wonderful person. A performer of some of the greatest roles in the repertoire, she was a regular on stages such {…}
Tenor Aaron Pegram has died. The Semperoper Dresden announced the news via social media stating, “It is with great shock and deep sadness that we say goodbye to our ensemble member Aaron Pegram, who passed away completely unexpectedly in Dresden last Sunday.” Pegram was an ensemble member at the Semperoper Dresden who performed 49 productions and 60 different roles with {…}
On Dec. 28, 2025, soprano Maria Pellegrini died at the age of 86. Born on July 15, 1939 in Pretoro, Italy, Pellegrini emigrated with her family to Canada in 1958 at the age of 15. She went on to study at The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) in Toronto and later pursued further vocal studies in London. Pellegrini made her {…}
Opera director Rhoda Levine has died at the age of 93. Born in New York City, she graduated from the Bard College and went on to become a formidable Opera director choreographer educator. As an opera director Levine went on to work at Cape Town Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, New York City Opera, Kentucky Opera, Nederlandse Opera, Theatre of St. Louis, {…}
Former Chair of the Board of the Santa Fe Opera Susan G. Marineau has died. The Santa Fe Opera announced the news via social media and said she “was a visionary leader, devoted advocate and cherished friend of the Santa Fe Opera.” Marineau worked with the company for 15 years beginning in 2011. She was the President of the Board {…}
Bruce Crawford, Former Chairman and CEO of the Board of the Metropolitan Opera, as well as the company’s 14th General Manager, has died. Crawford joined the Met Board as an Advisory Director in 1976 and served as a Managing Director from 1977 to 2008. He was then the president from 1984 to 1985 and President and CEO from 1991 to {…}
On Dec. 29, 2025, Carmen de Lavallade, the first Creole/African descendant prima ballerina at the Metropolitan Opera, died at the age of 94, following a short illness at a hospital in Englewood, New Jersey. Born on March 6, 1931 in Los Angeles, California to Creole parents from New Orleans, Louisiana, she studied ballet with Melissa Blake at the age of {…}
On Dec. 21, 2025, contralto Ortrun Wenkel died at the age of 83 after a short illness. Wenkel was born in Buttstädt, Thuringia on Oct. 25, 1942 and studied at the Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt, Weimar. After immigrating from East Germany to West Germany, she continued at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts. The contralto began her {…}
On Dec. 26, 2025, French baritone Robert Massard died at the age of 100. Massard was recovering from a severe fall he suffered in October that left him hospitalized. Born on August 15, 1925 in Pau, France, Massard was a self taught singer who went on to make his debut in 1952 at the Paris Opera as the High Priest {…}