Herbert John Handt (May 26, 1926 – October 2, 2023) was an American operatic tenor and later conductor, particularly known for his conducting and editions of rarely performed Italian scores.
As a conductor, he worked at major theatres in Italy, including La Scala in Milan and the Teatro Massimo in Palermo, and abroad.
[5] He founded the Associazione Musicale Lucchese in Lucca in 1964, serving as its Artistic Director to 2006, and becoming its Honorary President then.
In 1978, he founded there the International Festival of Marlia, fusing events of opera, dance, theatre, conferences and concerts.
He received a prize by the City of Florence "for his commitment to improving cultural relations between Tuscany and the United States".