We were deeply saddened to receive the tragic announcement that Thomas Johannes Mayer had passed away at the age of only 56. Born in 1969, the bass-baritone was one of the leading German singers of his generation and, since his international breakthrough as Wozzeck at La Scala in Milan, had performed the central roles of his repertoire at the world's major opera houses. He was also a regular guest at the Deutsche Oper Berlin from 2009 onwards, appearing here on a total of 40 evenings in eleven different roles, including Amfortas in PARSIFAL, Telramund in LOHENGRIN, Hans Sachs in DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG and as Vogt in Schreker's DER SCHATZGRÄBER. In addition to the major Wagner and Strauss roles that formed the core of his broad repertoire, Thomas Johannes Mayer, who studied under Kurt Moll at the Cologne University of Music, was also in demand as an interpreter of dramatic Italian baritone roles: At the Deutsche Oper Berlin, he not only presented his interpretation of Verdi's Macbeth in the premiere of Robert Carsen's production in 2011, but also appeared here as Jago in OTELLO and as Scarpia in TOSCA. Thomas Johannes Mayer's performances were always characterised by charisma and intense vocal acting – although his stage career from 2011 onwards was repeatedly accompanied by health problems, Mayer remained one of those singers who touched and fascinated audiences with their unreserved dedication. The Deutsche Oper Berlin mourns the loss of a great artist and will honour the memory of Thomas Johannes Mayer.