Sir Simon is, of course, known to most of you as Simon Worsthorne, author of the essential tome Venetian Opera in the Seventeenth Century, first published in 1954. You can imagine, then, our enthusiasm at the opportunity to review his archive.

Both Paul and Stefano travelled to England for what turned out to be a fascinating research trip. Sir Simon was a great supporter and follower of our project and this has now continued with his children, Peregrine and Cosima, to whom we send a huge and affectionate thank you for their generous hospitality, kindness and trust. We look forward to continuing our close ties with the family and how we might go forward to celebrate Sir Simon’s huge legacy for early Venetian opera.