Michael, I remember meeting you at rehearsals for Don Carlos back in 2002, in which you gave a moving portrait of the ageing King Philip. You also encouraged me to come for singing lessons and to play the piano for other pupils. I am grateful for your encouragement and skill in finding parts of my voice that I wasn’t aware of over the 5 years I spent in the tower. So many singers have passed through that ancient door, from the very young to the really quite elderly. You made a great contribution to the musical life of the city as a teacher and, as a performer across the range from bass to tenor, “Singest of summer in full-throated ease.” Steve Griffiths