Italian opera singer Cesare Siepi dies at 87

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Italian opera singer Cesare Siepi, famed for his polished bass vocals in performances of "Don Giovanni" in a long opera career, has died in Atlanta, his family said on Tuesday. He was 87.

Siepi died of respiratory failure in Piedmont Hospital on Monday in Atlanta after suffering a stroke more than a week earlier, his son, Marco Siepi said.

"He made an extraordinary contribution to the opera world. He was an incredible person," Marco Siepi told Reuters.

The Milan-born Siepi became a principal at The Metropolitan Opera in New York where he made his debut in 1950 in "Don Carlos," before charming audiences in the title role of "Don Giovanni" there in 1952. In total he performed with The Met 491 times until his final engagement in 1973.

He was a frequent guest at opera houses throughout the world, including The Royal Opera in London and the Vienna State Opera, where he performed in "Faust" and "Aida." He graced the stage until he was well into his 60s and retired in the late 1980s.

He had lived in Atlanta, Florida and New York in the United States for decades and was a prolific recording artist. He performed several lead roles on Broadway, including in the show, "Bravo Giovanni."

Siepi is survived by his wife and a daughter.

(Reporting by Christine Kearney, editing by Bob Tourtellotte)