Sadness: Berlin mezzo dies, aged 47
mainThe Komische Oper has announced the death, at 47, of Stella Doufexis after a long illness.
Of Greek origin, Stella sang in the German premieres of Birtwistle’s The Second Mrs Kong and the Philip Glass/Doris Lessing Planet 8. She sang in several major European houses and festivals, including Wigmore Hall.
Stella was married to the composer Christian Jost.
I am so very sorry to hear of this. I had the privilege of seeing and hearing this wonderful singer as Octavian in the Scottish Opera Rosenkavalier – she was extraordinarily graceful on stage and I adored her voice. She was a singer of great intelligence and poised expressivity. I spoke to her once in the middle of a demanding recording session just to give a little encouragement, and she was so touchingly humble and grateful. I am so very saddened by our loss, to the profession and to the people who really matter, those who listen.