The Bayreuth Festival has announced the death of German baritone Thomas Johannes Mayer, paying tribute to an artist who shaped Wagner performance on the Green Hill over many years.
In a statement published by the festival, Bayreuth recalled Mayer as a defining presence in the Wagner repertoire, praising his precise text delivery, vocal power, and strong stage presence, qualities that made him an important part of the festival’s history.
At Bayreuth, Mayer appeared in key Wagner roles including Telramund (Lohengrin), Der fliegende Holländer, the Wanderer (Siegfried), and Amfortas (Parsifal).
Beyond Bayreuth, Mayer enjoyed a major international career, performing at leading opera houses such as the Vienna State Opera, Bavarian State Opera, Hamburg State Opera, La Scala, and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
Originally trained in history, German literature, philosophy, and music education, Mayer later studied voice in Cologne, working with Liselotte Hammes and Kurt Moll. His career encompassed a wide repertoire ranging from Wagner and Verdi to Berg, Hindemith, and Strauss, with notable appearances as Wotan, Wozzeck, Macbeth, Scarpia, and Mandryka.
The Bayreuth Festival concluded its message by expressing its deep mourning for the artist.
As of now, the cause of death has not been disclosed.
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