LONDON (AP) — Richard Van Allan, a British bass-baritone who was a commanding presence on the world's opera stages, has died at age 73. Van Allan died Dec. 4 in London, according to the National Opera Studio, which he directed from 1986 to 2001. He had been diagnosed with lung cancer two years ago, The Guardian newspaper reported. His roles included Pooh-Bah in Jonathan Miller's production of Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Mikado" at English National Opera.

Born Alan Jones, he was a miner's son who grew up in central England, getting his first musical experience in a church choir and in grammar school productions of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.

Van Allan made his professional debut with Sussex Opera in England in 1964, and had his first major role at Britain's Glyndebourne Festival in 1967 in Francesco Cavalli's "L'Ormindo."

He had the lead role in "Don Giovanni" with the Sadler's Wells opera in 1969, and made his debut at London's Royal Opera in 1971 as the Mandarin in "Turandot."

The Count in "Manon" was Van Allan's debut role at New York's Metropolitan Opera in 1987. "At all times, he sounded like a man accustomed to respect," The Associated Press' reviewer commented.

As director of the National Opera Studio, Van Allan emphasized the importance of words.

"One of the big problems these days is projecting text," he said. "Even after years at the colleges, many of the students arriving here are still so voice-preoccupied. It's one of our jobs to reinforce the fantastic importance of the text."

He made his final appearance in 2006 at Glyndebourne, taking the speaking role of Frosch in "Die Fledermaus."

Van Allan is survived by his wife, Rosemary Pickering, their daughter and a son from his first marriage.

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