It is with deepest sadness and bewilderment that we have to announce the death of our friend and colleague, Stephen Gould. With him, the Bayreuth Festival and the entire opera world lose an outstanding singer, performer, educator, friend and esteemed colleague. He first appeared at the Bayreuth Festival in 2004 and sang nearly 100 performances until 2022. Among his glittering roles at Bayreuth were the title roles in Tristan und Isolde, Tannhäuser and Siegfried in the Ring des Nibelungen. Stephen Gould has rightly been described as a “long-distance runner”. He started out as a baritone and musical singer who, after some 3000 performances of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, became one of the most sought-after heroic tenors. In addition to Wagner roles, he has performed numerous other demanding roles such as Florestan, Paul, Emperor, Bacchus and Otello at the world’s most renowned opera houses. His remarkable stamina, irrepressible curiosity and the highest professionalism, also in his dealings with colleagues, distinguished him. By his own admission, Wagner was pure meditation for him, a mantra. We thank Stephen Gould for the many unforgettable evenings at the Bayreuth Festival, which he gave us with his unique voice and his grandiose stage presence. We will miss him immensely, part of the Festival family he will remain forever. Farewell Stephen!