Veteran bass Richard Angas, made famous as Jonathan Miller’s Mikado, has passed away at 71.

The veteran bass Richard Angas has collapsed during a rehearsal for Opera Noth’s new production of Peter Grimes. He was rushed to hospital but died shortly after.

Angas was born in 1942 and was a highly versatile performer, with a remarkable operatic career ranging from Wagner to Gilbert and Sullivan and contemporary work, covering half a century. He was particularly known for his 15 years as a principal bass with English National Opera in the 1980s and 1990s when he created the title role in Jonathan Miller’s iconic production of The Mikado.

He studied at the Royal Academy of Music 1960-64 under Olive Groves and George Baker, before spending a year in Vienna training with Ilse Rapf and Erik Werba. He won the Kathleen Ferrier Memorial Scholarship (1965), and the Richard Tauber Memorial Prize (1965). He was soon picked up by leading conductors, famously singing a part in Sir Adrian Boult’s recording of Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music.

His professional debut came on his return from Vienna, singing Lodovico with Scottish Opera in 1966. He returned the following season for Das Rheingold, and appeared regularly with...