The Philharmonic Academy, founded in 1666, with its three centuries of history represents a true benchmark in European musical institutions. Of the great musicians who passed through here (from Mozart to Rossini, from Arcangelo Corelli to Carlo Broschi known as Farinelli and many others), the Academy often preserves autographed scores and documents, portraits, and musical instruments that belonged to them or were used in academic meetings. Located on the third floor of the Palazzo Carrati, the historic seat of the Academy since its foundation, the museum houses a rich collection of paintings, a photo archive, a collection composed of various objects as well as some string and wind instruments used from the early years of the Academy’s activity and subsequently acquired, from the 18th century to today.The museum heritage can mainly be divided into two sections: the first consists of the painting collection, photo archive, and various objects, including paintings and photographs mostly concerning figures linked to the Academy (protective cardinals, musicians, musicologists, singers and instrumentalists from the 17th to the 20th century), as well as objects related to their activities (insignias, banner, ancient chancery instruments, personal effects, etc.). The second section is represented by the collection of musical instruments: it preserves some string and wind instruments used in the Academy’s early years (Traeri organ 1673, consort of unique 16th-century flutes, cornetto, viola da gamba, lute) and a good number of instruments acquired later, from the 18th century to today (viola d’amore, pochette, horn, transverse flutes, clarinets, various mouthpiece instruments from the 1800s, Erard piano owned by S. Golinelli, fortepiano called “Rossini’s”, piano belonging to O. Respighi, Santoli organ, various string instruments, ethnic instruments, etc.). Due to these characteristics, the collection illustrates an important chapter of Bologna’s institutional history, as well as the excellence of the artifacts, both absolutely and as linked to individual musicians, also documented with Academy archival sources. Temporary exhibitions are also held in the museum rooms. To complement the museum path, the Academy’s very rich archive is hosted on the second floor of the palace.
Information about the Museum of the Philharmonic Academy
Via Guerrazzi, 13,
40121 Bologna (Bologna)
051222997
info@accademiafilarmonica.it
Source: MIBACT
