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Sally Gordon-Mark continues her series on the life of French harpsichordist Huguette Dreyfus.

Sally Gordon-Mark continues her four-part series on the life of 20th century French harpsichordist Huguette Dreyfus

One of the two harpsichords Colin Tilney uses in his disc entitled "Jewels" is an instrument built in Italy sometime in the 18th Century. We do not know the provenance of the instrument, or who built it, but we do know, due to the heavily ornate paintings incorporated into the lid and body of the harpsichord, that it was meant for use in a theatre, mostly like for opera performances. There is also an interesting "issue" with the lid: it appears to have what looks to be a bullet hole! Whatever happened, the instrument ain't talkin'....

He reintroduced the art of 'gorgia' - 16th- century improvised coloratura - and was a central figure in the early music movement

<strong>Other lives:</strong> Harpsichord maker and restorer whose historical instruments were prized for their immaculate craftsmanship