German tenor Peter Hofmann dies aged 66

The death has been announced of German singer Peter Hofmann. To the classical music world, Hofmann was best known as a Wagnerian heldentenor. He made his Bayreuth debut in 1976 singing Siegmund in the Boulez/Chereau centennial Ring production. He later performed Lohengrin, Parsifal, Tristan and Loge at the house.

But Hofamann was better known in Germany for his regular forays into rock and pop music. He made television appearances throughout his career, and also played the Phantom of the Opera in Hamburg in 1990-91.

Hofmann's death follows a long battle with Parkinson's disease dating back to 1994.