Franco Buitoni, co-founder of the Borletti-Buitoni Trust, has died aged 82

Franco Buitoni, who founded the Borletti-Buitoni Trust with his wife Ilaria Borletti Buitoni (pictured together), has died in Italy at the age of 82. 'He was a man of great integrity who loved and supported the arts, particularly music, all his life,' reads a memorial on the trust's website.

BBT was launched in 2003 to help outstanding young musicians to develop and sustain international careers with financial awards, guidance and contacts, as well as public relations exposure. Over the years the organisation has provided support to 96 individuals and ensembles from 30 countries.

2016 recipients include the Danish String Quartet which won a BBT Award, worth £30,000; the Calidore String Quartet and violinist Alexandra Conunova, who each won BBT Fellowships worth £20,000; and Quartetto Lyskamm, which won a BBT Special Chamber Music Prize, worth €25,000, given in honour of Claudio Abbado.

Among the recipients in previous years are violinists Augustin Hadelich, Vilde Frang and Alina Ibragimova, violist Antoine Tamestit, and cellists Gautier Capuçon Sol Gabetta and Nicolas Altstaedt.