Sudden death of a British bass-baritone, 59

The British opera world has been saddened by news of the death of Keel Watson, a favourite for 25 years at Welsh National Opera and other UK companies. He also sang at Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, Greek National Opera, Teatro Massimo di Palermo and Opéra de Lyon.

He was last heard two weeks ago singing Private Willis in Iolanthe at English National Opera.

Stephen Langridge, Glyndebourne’s artistic director, writes:
Like many in our community, I am feeling profoundly shocked and saddened to learn that Keel Watson is gone.
We all have our own memories. For me it began in the Ealing Youth Orchestra in our teens, him on trombone, me on horn, and continued sporadically over the years. What a range of styles he could muster: we did an intense new opera by Andrew Toovey, and then he was Papageno in a Magic Flute we did in Northern Ireland. I even sang Spoletta to his Scarpia (Ealing Youth Orchestra again, conducted by our friend Mark Gooding – I was poor, he was fabulous). Later, I was proud to know that he was often working with Graham Vick – who I know loved and respected him – and saw the Aida they did in Bregenz. But somehow, whenever we met up (not often enough) we immediately reverted to behaving like teenage brass players (probably a nightmare for everyone else in rehearsal with us).
Deep condolences to his family, and a massive virtual group hug with everyone who knew and loved him.

Stephen Maddock, director of the Birmingham Conservatoire, writes: