Tenor Johan Botha, whose light but muscular voice dazzled audiences at the world’s top operatic stages in a wide range of roles, died Thursday in Vienna. He was 51.

The South African felt at home in operas ranging from Puccini to Wagner.

This was reflected in seven starring roles that Botha played at the Lyric Opera of Chicago between 1998 to 2015. These included Canio in Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” (2002), Calaf in Puccini’s “Turandot” (2006), and the title roles of Verdi’s “Otello” (2013) and Wagner’s “Lohengrin” (2011) and “Tannhäuser” (2015).

Over a nearly 30-year career, Botha also appeared on most of the world’s top stages including La Scala, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, New York’s Metropolitan Opera and the State Opera in Vienna, where he made his home.

Elisabetta Hartl of Medea Music and Entertainment Group gave no details in announcing his death, but Botha had been suffering from cancer.

Uncommonly versatile, Botha shone in roles ranging from Florestan in Beethoven’s “Fidelio” to main figures in works by Verdi, Wagner, and Richard Strauss. His voice was light but powerful, displaying a fluidity that at its best knew few constraints. He was also an accomplished concert singer.

He last sang three weeks ago at an opera gala in Cape Town in collaboration with the Cancer Association of South Africa.

Botha is survived by his wife and two sons.

• Daily Herald staff writer Scott C. Morgan contributed to this report.