Stephen Gould, Tenor Singer, Passes Away at 61 After Bile Duct Cancer Diagnosis

Tenor Stephen Gould, aged 61, has passed away after being diagnosed with incurable bile duct cancer. His agent Stephanie Ammann confirmed that Gould died in Virginia, but no other details were immediately available.

Gould had withdrawn from the Bayreuth Festival in Germany earlier this summer, where he was scheduled to perform in the title roles of “Tannhäuser” and “Tristan und Isolde,” as well as Siegfried in “Götterdämmerung.”

The singer decided to share his diagnosis after the festival had ended so as not to overshadow this year’s accomplishments.

Gould was known for his performances as a heroic tenor and had appeared at many of the world’s top opera houses. He received critical acclaim for his debut in Richard Wagner’s “Ring” cycle in Bayreuth, Germany in 2006.

According to the Mayo Clinic, biliary tract cancer often does not cause symptoms in the early stages and is often discovered accidentally through routine tests or imaging for other reasons.

He is survived by his sister.