The Italian basso buffo who kept audiences laughing for more than 30 years has died at 79.

Italian bass Enzo Dara, one of the most prominent buffo performers of his generation, has died in his hometown of Mantua aged 79. Dara was particularly cherished for his Rossini and Donizetti roles, which allowed him to show off his superb comic timing and musicality.

Born October 13, 1938, he first worked as a journalist before deciding to seriously pursue a singing career. He studied with Bruno Sutti in his native Mantua, making his opera debut in 1960 as Colline in Puccini’s La Bohème at the Fano opera house.

But it was not until his performances of Don Bartolo (Il Barbiere di Siviglia) in 1967, and Mustafa (L’italiana in Algeri) in 1969 that Dara began to hit his stride as an artist. Bartolo was to be an auspicious role for the bass – it is estimated he sang it 400 times and it was the role with which he made his La Scala and independent Metropolitan Opera debuts. Other roles that became calling cards included Dulcamara (L’elisir d’amore), Don Magnifico (La Cenerentola), and Don Pasquale.

Dara later directed several operas, including Cimarosa’s Il Maestro di cappella and Don Pasquale. Among his many accolades was the Donizetti Prize, awarded in 1992 by the Donizetti Festival of Bergamo.