National Opera announcement over deaths of three opera singers

The Greek National Opera, in an announcement on Thursday, said it was "bidding farewell with sorrow to three distinguished members of the opera's artistic family, soprano Alexandra Mattheoudaki, mezzo-soprano Lina Tentzeri and bass member of the GNO choir, Pavlos Sampsakis, who no longer live."

Mattheoudaki and Tentzeri had sung lead roles in dozens of National Opera productions, while bass singer Sampsakis had started to perform soloist roles and was due to appear as the Customs Sergeant in the National Opera's production of "La Boheme" on December 9.

The announcement extended the condolences of the opera's staff and management to the families and expressed deep sorrow at the deaths of "three colleagues and distinguished artists".