TRIBUTES have continued to be paid to a “larger than life” Chepstow opera singer a week after he collapsed at a town council meeting.

The death of Karl Daymond, 52, was met with an immense outpouring of grief not only from his adopted town but from across Wales and the wider singing community.

Mr Daymond, a much-loved figure within the Chepstow community, was taken seriously ill around 15 minutes into the meeting last Wednesday.

He was due to speak on the ongoing matter of the future running of the Chepstow Drill Hall but, despite the efforts of first-aiders at the meeting and paramedics, Mr Daymond died after being rushed to the Royal Gwent Hospital.

Classically trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and National Opera Studio, Mr Daymond sang as a

principal baritone with the Welsh and English National Operas on renowned stages across the world.

But he was best-known in the area for leading the Chepstow Castle Singing Club, the female-only Chepstow Chatelaines choir, and Usk Singing Club.

Under his stewardship, all three choirs had performed at last year’s National Eisteddfod in Abergavenny.

Mr Daymond also ran the Forest of Dean Singing Club and the Duke’s Yard Singing Club.

Dr Glyn Jones, a tenor in the Chepstow Castle club, said: “The man was a shining light in Chepstow and the whole area and was the star leader of five singing clubs.

“Karl was a motivator and he got the best out of people. He enjoyed seeing people enjoying their singing and the singing club has two very important rules.

“We were never critical of anyone else’s singing and were there to enjoy.”

Speaking of the impact of the sudden death on the community, he added: “It’s just like a dark cloud. It’s basically the loss of a local star.

“In his background, he has performed at the top of the professional game and was and was able to instil that professionalism in ordinary people. He had this human touch that reached everybody and his efforts in his community were second to none.”

Mr Daymond also led the Chepstow Male Voice Choir for a brief time between 2008 and 2010 following the retirement of his predecessor, Brian Howard.

Stuart Vigus, a spokesman for the choir, said: “He was great fun and held an ambition to bring more music, and to include more people in the joys of singing and performing.”

In another of his many roles, Mr Daymond also served as the choirmaster of the St David’s Hospice Harmony Choir and in July, he led the group in its first public performance at the Celtic Manor Resort.

Emma Saysell, chief executive of the hospice, said that he had made a “remarkable” impact on the lives of patients, and described him as “extraordinary and inspirational”.

Mr Daymond’s reach far extended the singing clubs and his presence and support was felt by other community groups, including the Chepstow to Tintern and Wye Valley Cycle Path project.

A statement read: “Let us take a minute silence and stop what we are doing to remember him, he died young and was a wonderful warm figure of a man.”

Tributes also came from town councillors, many of whom were among the 80-plus people present at the meeting.

Cllr Paul Pavia said: “He had immense energy and a sense of fun and that was infectious”. While Cllr Dale Rooke, added: “Karl was a larger than life character within the community, he will be sorely missed.”

A private family cremation will be held prior to a day of celebration of Mr Daymond's life will take place in September.