Rupesh Samant

Daijiworld MEdia Network - Panaji

Panaji, May 19: Dr Santiago Lusardi Girelli, an Argentinian musician, who was visiting research professor at Goa University, succumbed to COVID-19 infection on Wednesday in Goa.

“A 42-year-old Girelli breathed his last in a private hospital in South Goa on Wednesday, where he was being treated for COVID-19 infection,” said Ramrao Wagh, former Director of Visiting Chair Professor Program of Goa University.

Wagh said that the music professor was tested COVID-19 positive, a month back, when he had gone for a testing as a part of a travel formality to go to Spain to meet his family.

He was admitted to Goa Medical College and Hospital after his infection increased and then to a private hospital in Margao, Wagh said.

Speaking about his association with Goa, Wagh said that Girelli was selected as the visiting researcher at Goa University in the year 2008 on the Chair in the name of world renowned musician Goa-born late Anthony Gonsalves.

Wagh said Girelli was a master in sacred music (Church music). He was also associated with few of the festivals in Goa, dealing with that music genre.

“He came all the way from Argentina to establish and direct Goa University Choir, thereby, enormously enriching our institutional life,” Wagh said in a condolence message, released to mediapersons on behalf of the University and its Vice Chancellor Professor Varun Sahani.

He said that with the death of Girelli a void has been created in the Goa University.