PETER HOFMANN | 1944-2010: Star of Wagner operas, 'Phantom'

BERLIN -- German tenor Peter Hofmann, who became famous for his performances of Richard Wagner operas, died Tuesday. He was 66.

Mr. Hofmann made his name performing at the annual Bayreuth festival celebrating the music of Richard Wagner. He toured stages across the world and performed as the main character of the ''Phantom of the Opera'' musical in Hamburg. His international breakthrough came in 1976, when he played Siegmund in Wagner's ''Ring'' cycle at Bayreuth.

Starting in 1990, he starred 300 times in the German version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical ''Phantom of the Opera,'' performed in Hamburg. He also hosted a TV show in Germany and performed Elvis Presley songs on a tour across Europe.

''His accomplishments ... are unforgettable,'' Culture Minister Bernd Neumann said in a statement.

Mr. Hofmann had Parkinson's disease for several years and stopped performing in 1999.