It is with the deepest sorrow and disbelief that we must announce the passing of our friend and colleague, Stephen Gould. With his passing, Bayreuth Festival and the entire opera world lose an outstanding singer, performer, educator, friend, and esteemed colleague. He made his debut at the Bayreuth Festival in 2004 and performed in nearly 100 productions until 2022. Among his most acclaimed roles in Bayreuth were the title roles in Tristan und Isolde, Tannhäuser, and Siegfried in Ring des Nibelungen. Stephen Gould was rightly described as a “long-distance runner”. He began his career as a baritone and musical theatre singer, and after approximately 3,000 performances of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, he became one of the most in-demand Heldentenors. In addition to Wagnerian roles, he performed numerous other challenging parts such as Florestan, Paul, Kaiser, Bacchus, and Otello at the most renowned opera houses worldwide. His remarkable stamina, boundless curiosity, and utmost professionalism, including his interactions with colleagues, set him apart. According to his own account, Wagner was pure meditation for him, a mantra. We thank Stephen Gould for the many unforgettable evenings at the Bayreuth Festival, which he graced us with his unique voice and magnificent stage presence. We will miss him immensely; he will forever remain a part of the festival family. Farewell Stephen!
On the Passing of Stephen Gould!
