Stuart Burrows, the globally acclaimed Welsh opera singer, has passed away at the age of 92 following a brief illness. Born in the village of Cilfynydd in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Burrows embarked on his remarkable musical journey, first performing with the Welsh National Opera in 1963, a stepping stone to an illustrious international career.

His exceptional talent soon led him to perform on some of the world's most prestigious stages. He graced the revered La Scala in Milan, spent 12 seasons at the iconic Met Opera in New York, and captivated audiences at Carnegie Hall, also in New York. His presence was equally felt in London, where he performed at the historic Royal Opera House. At the zenith of his career, during the 1970s and 1980s, Burrows also became a familiar face on television, starring in his own BBC Two series, "Stuart Burrows Sings."

Throughout his life, Burrows received numerous accolades recognizing his immense contributions to music. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Wales in 1981, followed by a Fellowship of Trinity College, Carmarthen, in 1989. Aberystwyth University also bestowed upon him an Honorary Fellowship. In 2007, his dedication and service to music were further honored with an OBE.

Tributes poured in for the celebrated tenor. Kim Howells, former UK government culture minister, fondly remembered Burrows as having "an amazing voice" and being an "internationally renowned singer and very remarkable individual" from a village known for producing extraordinary talent. Howells expressed, "We've lost a great here and I send my condolences to his family."

His family confirmed his passing on Sunday morning. His son, Mark Burrows, shared a heartfelt message on Facebook, stating, "Words cannot express how much I will miss this true Welshman who (as he liked to say) loved to sing a bit!" Welsh operatic and concert soprano Beverley Humphreys lauded Burrows' "astounding career," describing him as "one of the greatest Mozart tenors in the world." She highlighted the "beauty of his voice, his sensitivity, lyricism and refined musicianship" as unsurpassed, adding that his unique ability to perform across various genres and his warm personality touched hearts globally.