Opera singer Richard Angas has died at the age of 71 after collapsing during a rehearsal.
Angas was a principal bass with English National Opera (ENO) for 15 years and played the title role in Sir Jonathan Miller’s hit production of The Mikado.
He collapsed during rehearsals for Opera North’s production of Benjamin Britten’s Peter Grimes in Leeds on Tuesday and later died in hospital.
Sir Jonathan said he was a “wonderful man” and a “brilliant performer”.
Angas had recently reprised his role in a revival of Sir Jonathan’s production of The Mikado at the ENO and also performed in the Welsh National Opera’s Lulu, Wagner Dream and The Cunning Little Vixen earlier this year.
“I owe a great deal to Richard Angas,” Sir Jonathan said.
“Apart from the fact that he was one of the great performers in a long-lasting production of The Mikado, he was one of the most convivial professional companions whose company I enjoyed for many, many years.”
Angas gave more than 150 performances as The Mikado and also played Alcindoro in Sir Jonathan’s production of La Boheme.
