It has been reported that South African Heldentenor Johan Botha has passed away at the age of 51. Mr. Botha had been suffering from cancer.
Mr. Botha was known for singing some of the most difficult tenor roles in opera, including Siegmund (Die Walküre), Walther von Stolzing (Die Meistersinger), Calaf (Turandot), Radames (Aida), Canio (Il Pagliacci), Florestan (Fidelio), and the title roles in Tannhäuser, Lohengrin, and Otello.
Mr. Botha made his operatic debut in 1989 in Der Freischütz, but came to international attention in 1993 when he sang the role of Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly in Paris.
Mr. Botha would go on to have a successful career, especially at the Metropolitan Opera, but also at the Bayreuth Festival, La Scala, the Royal Opera House Covent, and the Vienna State Opera.
Mr. Botha was born on August 19th, 1965 and is survived by his wife and two sons. He passed away on September 8th, 2016 in Vienna.
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