Baritone Alejandro Meerapfel Died Onstage at the Ambronay Festival

The 54-year-old Argentinian suffered cardiac arrest while performing and could not be revived

The Argentine baritone Alejandro Meerapfel has passed away at the age of 54 after going into cardiac arrest while he was onstage performing. The incident took place at France's Ambronay Festival, where Meerapfel was appearing in a performance of Antonio Draghi's oratorio Don de la vie éternelle.

While onstage with Cappella Mediterranea, the Namur Chamber Choir, and conductor Leonardo García Alarcón, Meerapfel felt unwell and collapsed. The public was evacuated from the concert hall and emergency services were called, but Meerapfel could not be revived.

A baroque specialist who spent most of his life living in Dijon, France, Alejandro Meerapfel was a regular member of Cappella Mediterranea. He appeared regularly at the Ambronay Festival.

"Our thoughts go to his family, his loved ones, the artists of the Cappella Mediterranea and the Namur Chamber Choir, and all those who, like us, feel devastated by the death of a man of inestimable kindness and an artist whose exceptional modesty and talent will remain in our hearts," wrote the festival on social media.

"Alejandro was an angel on earth," said Leonardo García Alarcón. "Before the concert, his smile and good humor filled the souls of the entire artistic team and the Festival. We will miss him but he will be with us forever."