Baritone, 54, collapses and dies in festival oratorio

Distressing news from the Ambronay festival in France where the Argentine baritone Alejandro Meerapfel collapsed and died on stage while performing in the oratorio Dono della Vita eterna by Antonio Draghi.

Alejandro was singing the role of God when he was struck by a heart attack.

Here’s a notice from the festival:
Dear festival-goers, Dear friends,
We are sad to announce that baritone Alejandro Meerapfel died of a heart attack on stage last night during a concert as part of the 44th Ambronay Festival.

A renowned baritone, Alejandro was a long-time companion of the Argentine conductor Leonardo García Alarcón and the soprano Mariana Flores.

He had performed many times in the Ambronay Abbey Church and his sudden disappearance left us in shock. Our thoughts are with 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 disappearance of a man of inestimable kindness and kindness. ‘an artist whose exceptional modesty and talent will remain in our hearts.

For Leonardo García Alarcón, ‘Alejandro was an angel on earth. 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.’

Some more detail here.