Sad news: Sistema founder Abreu is dead
mainThe death has been announced of Jose Antonio Abreu, founder of Venezuela’s El Sistema of music education, which he turned into a global brand.
He was 78 and had been frail from diabetes and other complications for more than a decade.
He lived long enough to see the regime he supported turn against his protege Gustavo Dudamel and punish El Sistema by cancelling its orchestral overseas tours.
He remained a supporter of the oppresive regime. His death was announced on television by President Maduro.
Con todo mi amor y eterna gratitud a nuestro padre y creador de El Sistema.
With devoted love and eternal gratitude to my mentor and father of El Sistema. pic.twitter.com/tPpA0oCRzm
— Gustavo Dudamel (@GustavoDudamel) March 24, 2018
UPDATE: Did anyone really know Abreu?
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