Dutch Bass Harry van der Kamp has died at the age of 79.

Born in Kampen, Van der Kamp first studied law and psychology in Amsterdam and then went on to study singing with Elizabeth Cooymans and Max van Egmond at the Amsterdam Sweelinck Conservatory.

Following his studies he went on to become known for Early music and Baroque, including works by Francesco Cavalli, Stefano Landi, Antonio Cesti, Henry Purcell, Jean-Philippe Rameau, Reinhard Keiser, and George Frideric Händel.

He went on to sing the Nederlandse Opera and worked with such ensembles as Hilliard Ensemble, Musica Antiqua Köln or Les Arts Florissants. With the Huelgas Ensemble he recorded works of Matteo da Perugia.

Van der Kamp also founded the Gesualdo Consort Amsterdam in 1984 and performed madrigals of the 16th and 17th century and composers such as Carlo Gesualdo, Emilio de’ Cavalieri and Scipione Lacorcia.

Throughout his career he recorded several weirs including the Bach cantatas, Bach’s St John Passion, and Händel’s “Messiah.”

For his work, he received such prizes as the Counting Edison, Echo, Diapason d’or and Midi. He was also made a knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion in 2010 and 2012, he was made an honorary citizen of Amsterdam.