LONDON — Richard Van Allan, a British bass-baritone who was a commanding presence on the world's opera stages, has died at age 73.

Van Allan died Dec. 4 in London, according to the National Opera Studio, which he directed from 1986 to 2001. He had been diagnosed with lung cancer two years ago.

His roles included Pooh-Bah in Jonathan Miller's production of Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Mikado" at English National Opera. Van Allan made his professional debut with Sussex Opera in England in 1964, and had his first major role at Britain's Glyndebourne Festival in 1967 in Francesco Cavalli's "L'Ormindo."

He had the lead role in "Don Giovanni" with the Sadler's Wells opera in 1969, and made his debut at London's Royal Opera in 1971 as the Mandarin in "Turandot."