'A musical theatre giant': Tributes pour in for Stephen Sondheim who has died aged 91
Tributes have poured in for American composer Stephen Sondheim, creator of musicals including Sweeney Todd, who has died aged 91.
The New York Times reported the lyricist died at his home in Connecticut, US, early on Friday morning.
Theatrical producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh said: “The theatre has lost one of its greatest geniuses and the world has lost one of its greatest and most original writers.
“Sadly, there is now a giant in the sky. But the brilliance of Stephen Sondheim will still be here as his legendary songs and shows will be performed for ever more.
“Goodbye old friend and thank you from all of us.”
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Phantom of the Opera creator Andrew Lloyd Webber was among the streams of others who have paid tribute, writing: “Farewell Steve, the musical theatre giant of our times, an inspiration not just to two but to three generations.
“Your contribution to theatre will never be equalled.”
English Singer Elaine Paige wrote: “Devastated to hear one of the most important musical theatre giants of our generation, Stephen Sondheim, has died.“RIP dear man.”
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said his works "created fantastic worlds and characters" who was "one of the brightest lights of Broadway".
US actress and singer Anna Kendrick, meanwhile, said that performing Sondheim's work "has been among the greatest privileges of my career".
Adding to the tributes, Journalist Fae O'Toole posted a touching tribute on Twitter in which she wrote of a letter she received from Sondheim in 2011, when she was "theatre-mad 16-year-old".
Singer Lea Salonga, who performed in Sondheim’s virtual 90th birthday celebration, Take Me to the World, wrote: “Rest In Peace, Stephen Sondheim, and thank you for your vast contributions to musical theatre.“We shall be singing your songs forever. Oh, my heart hurts.”
Sondheim influenced several generations of theatre songwriters with his work, which included other musicals such as Company and Follies.
His ballad Send in the Clowns has been recorded hundreds of times, including by Frank Sinatra and Judy Collins.
Six of Sondheim’s musicals won Tony Awards for best score and he received a Pulitzer Prize for Sunday in the Park.
The composer also won an Academy Award for the song Sooner or Later from the film Dick Tracy, five Olivier Awards and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Honour.