Beloved iconic singer dies days after announcing cancer | UK News

Dame Felicity Lott, one of Britain’s best-loved sopranos, has died aged 79 – just 5 days after she publicly revealed a terminal cancer diagnosis. Her agent confirmed the news to the BBC, saying: “In her work, she was sublime – inhabiting every performance with precision, depth and beauty.

“But it was her humanity and kindness that actually touched people … [We] will miss her heat, sparkle and gloriously self-deprecating humour.” The spokesman added that she lived with her illness “with great dignity and acceptance” and “was characteristically stylish and elegant to the end”. Her death on Friday came after she announced on Radio 4’s This Cultural Life on Sunday, May 10 that she had been given a terminal cancer diagnosis.

The star revealed she had been planning to sell her stunning couture gowns from her concert wardrobe to raise money for a local hospice group when she was told she would actually need to be organising her own end-of-life care.

“It’s fairly ironic, actually, because when I didn’t know that I used to be ailing, I obtained in contact with the fantastic chief fundraiser,” she said.

“I believed perhaps we may public sale them in support of the hospices. Then, blow me, you get signed up to the hospice your self.

“It has been amazing. I’ve known about being ill for almost a year, and my goodness, it was a shock. But here I am for a bit longer, and I’ve had time to look back and think, ‘golly, you lucky thing … You’ve met all these wonderful people and had a wonderful life. You’ve been all over the world’.”

The star’s profession started in 1974 when she made her operatic debut at the City of London Festival as Seleuce in Tolomeo by Handel.

She went on to construct an worldwide profession, performing at opera homes and live performance halls around the world, singing works by composers including Richard Strauss, Schubert and Mozart.

She acquired many awards and accolades throughout her profession and was made a DBE in 1996.

Tributes flooded in for the star as followers and buddies realized of her death.

One commented on Facebook: “A very sad loss, but given her terminal diagnosis, I’m glad she did not endure lengthy suffering. Her legacy lives on.”

Another added: “Oh no, I can’t believe it. I only just read that she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, but I didn’t think it was this quick.

“What an monumental loss, an completely fantastic artist. I used to be very privileged to hear her many instances, but her Marschallin was completely unimaginable and transferring. RIP Dame Felicity.”

A 3rd added: “Sometimes God strikes rapidly. Read about her hospice feedback just this week.”

A fourth said: “Sad to hear this. She was a great character and a fabulous singer. May she live in heaven.”

A fifth shared: “What a loss. I realized the solos from Handel’s Ode to St Cecilia in an night guided by her recording to cowl for a colleague. Sang it the next night cold, based on that inspiration. She will probably be missed.”

A sixth said: “She was phenomenal! So unhappy to hear she has handed away. Ever an inspiration. Rest in peace.”