SAD NEWS|American-born Early Music Specialist Alan Curtis Has Died – Aged 81

American-born harpsichordist, conductor and early music scholar Alan Curtis has died at his home in Florence – aged 81.

A phD graduate of the University of Illinois, Mr Curtis will be remembered as a major force in the revival of Baroque and period performance - particularly the works of Handel, Monteverdi and Cavalli.

He served on faculty at the University of California, Berkeley and was a founding member of the European early music ensemble 'Il Complesso Barocco'.

He had been described by Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonata as a 'titan in bringing an avalanche of unknown music to modern times.'

Our condolences are with his family, friends, colleagues and students.