Estonian baritone who besides opera was known as a performer of popular songs. He sang at the Estonian National Opera from 1951 to his death in 1975. He gained wider recognition with his roles at the Bolshoi Theatre, particularly with his lead role in Eugene Onegin. He was also celebrated for his interpretation in a musical film Mister Iks, based on Imre Kálmán's operetta Die Zirkusprinzessin