FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - Opera singer and conductor Peter Schreier, who won fame at the Salzburg festival and Milan's La Scala, has died in Dresden, Germany. He was 84.

The dpa news agency reported on Thursday (Dec 26) that he died on Wednesday, citing his longtime secretary.

Schreier, a tenor, was in demand on opera stages all over the world.

He performed at the Berlin State Opera in his native East Germany and at Milan's La Scala, as well as a 25-year run at the famed Salzburg festival.

One of his specialties was performing and recording the songs of composers Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann.

Schreier retired from the opera stage in 2000 after a final performance in Berlin as Tamino in Mozart's The Magic Flute, one of his most important roles.

He then continued with songs and oratorio performances until he was 70.

Dpa did not report a cause of death, but said Schreier had suffered heart trouble including bypass surgery in past years.