YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS. The tenor Johan Botha, who performed for more than two decades at the world’s major opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the Royal Opera House in London and the Vienna State Opera, died on September 8 in Vienna, reports the New York Times.

He was 51.

Raphaela Hödl, a spokeswoman for the singer, confirmed his death, adding that Botha had had a “severe illness.”

The director of the Vienna State Opera, Dominique Meyer, said in a statement that Botha, a South African, “was one of the best tenors worldwide.”  

He was named an honorary member of the Vienna opera house this year, though he was never able to accept the award at a public ceremony because of his illness.

“He is leaving a considerable void behind,” Meyer added.

The Vienna State Opera raised a black flag in Botha’s honor and will dedicate this Saturday’s performance of “Turandot” to him, it said in a statement.

In 2003, at the Vienna State Opera’s suggestion, Botha received the title of “Kammersänger,” a prestigious honor, from the Austrian government.

Johan Botha was born on Aug. 19, 1965, in Rustenburg, South Africa. He moved to Europe in 1990 and quickly established a reputation for excellence at German opera houses.