Roth pays tribute to Emmerlich as an "artist with a big heart"

In the view of Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth, Germany has lost "a great artist with a big heart" with the death of Gunther Emmerlich. The singer and entertainer died unexpectedly of heart failure in Dresden on Tuesday at the age of 79. "The powerful-voiced opera singer and likeable entertainer was a legend of GDR television who also reached an audience of millions in reunified Germany," said the Green Party politician in a statement. According to Roth, his unmistakable voice, his outstanding presence and his fine sense of humor will be remembered.