The internationally renowned Welsh opera singer Stuart Burrows has died aged 92 following a short illness.
Born in Cilfynydd in Rhondda Cynon Taf, he performed for the first time with the Welsh National Opera in 1963 and went on to sing at world famous La Scala in Milan.
His career took in the Met Opera in New York for 12 seasons and he also appeared at the Carnegie Hall in New York, and the Royal Opera House in London.
At the height of his career – in the 1970s and 80s – Burrows starred in his own Two series, Stuart Burrows Sings.
Burrows was born on the same street as fellow opera star Geraint Evans.
In his youth, Burrows could have been a professional rugby player, but turned down a contract with the Leeds Rugby League club to concentrate on singing.
His big break came in 1965 when the composer Stravinsky asked him to sing his opera Oedipus Rex in Athens.
Burrows received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Wales in 1981, a Fellowship of Trinity College, Carmarthen in 1989, and he also received an Honorary Fellowship from Aberystwyth University.
In 2007 he received an OBE for his services to music.
In a tribute, the former UK government culture minister, Kim Howells, said: “Stuart Burrows had an amazing voice, he was an internationally renowned singer and very remarkable individual who came from this south Wales valleys village which has produced so many extraordinary people from rugby players to politicians.
“We’ve lost a great here and I send my condolences to his family.”
Burrows’ family said he died on Sunday morning following a short illness.
In a post on Facebook, his son Mark said: “Words cannot express how much I will miss this true Welshman who (as he liked to say) loved to sing a bit!”
Welsh operatic and concert soprano Beverley Humphreys said Burrows had an “astounding career”.
“He was one of the greatest Mozart tenors in the world. From La Scala to the Met and Covent Garden. The beauty of his voice, his sensitivity, lyricism and refined musicianship was unsurpassed.”
The Radio Wales broadcaster said Burrows had the rare ability to sing not only in opera, but in many different genres.
“His voice and warm personality touched hearts all over the world.”
