Tenor Herbert Handt turned to conducting later in life and specialized in the revival of neglected Italian repertory. He spent much of his career in Europe and settled permanently in Italy. In 1949, Handt made his debut at the Staatsoper in Vienna. He enjoyed a successful career in Europe. He originated roles in three important contemporary operas; he sang Don Giovanni Mediana in Gian Francesco Malipiero's Venere prigioniera, Zuckertanz in Gian Carlo Menotti's Maria Golovin, and Primo Omuncolo in Roberto Lupi's Persefone. Handt remained active as a tenor into the 1980s, and as of the mid-2020s, more than 30 of his recordings remained in print, mostly in reissues. He also founded and administered a pair of music festivals in Lucca in his later years and founded the Associazione Musical Lucchese. Handt died in Lucca on October 2, 2023.