Tenor Stephen Gould, who recently revealed his diagnosis of incurable bile duct cancer, has passed away at the age of 61.
Gould’s agent Stephanie Ammann confirmed his death on Tuesday in Virginia. No further details have been provided.
Earlier this summer, the singer withdrew from the Bayreuth Festival in Germany, where he was set to perform the lead roles in “Tannhäuser” and “Tristan und Isolde,” as well as Siegfried in “Götterdämmerung.”
Gould made the announcement about his diagnosis after the Bayreuth Festival concluded, stating that he did not want anything to overshadow the achievements of the year.
Known for his powerful performances as a heroic tenor, Gould appeared at many famous opera houses worldwide. He received rave reviews for his debut in Richard Wagner’s “Ring” cycle in Bayreuth in 2006.
The Associated Press described him as “a naturally engaging performer, unusually athletic and youthful as befits the teenage hero” during his portrayal of Siegfried in the third “Ring” show.
Biliary tract cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic, often does not show symptoms in its early stages and is frequently discovered incidentally through routine tests or imaging.
He is survived by his sister.
