L’Accademia Filarmonica, founded in 1666, with its three centuries represents a true reference point among 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 scores and autographed documents, portraits and musical instruments that were their property or used in academic meetings. Located on the third floor of the Palazzo Carrati, the historical seat of the Academy since its foundation, the museum houses a rich picture gallery, a photo library, a collection composed of objects of various kinds as well as some of the string and wind instruments used in the early years of the Academy’s activities and subsequently passed down, from the 18th century to today. The museum heritage can be mainly divided into two sections: the first consists of the picture gallery, photo library and various objects and includes paintings and photographs mostly concerning characters linked to the Academy (protector cardinals, musicians, musicologists, singers and instrumentalists from the 17th to the 20th century), as well as objects related to their activity (insignia, banner, instruments of the ancient chancellery, personal effects, etc.). The second section is represented by the collection of musical instruments: some string and wind instruments used in the early years of the Academy’s activity are preserved (Traeri organ 1673, consort of unique characteristics sixteenth-century flutes, cornetto, viola da gamba, lute) and a fair quantity of instruments subsequently acquired, from the 18th century to today (viola d’amore, pochette, horn, transverse flutes, clarinets, various 19th-century mouth instruments, Erard piano belonging to S. Golinelli, fortepiano called “di Rossini,” piano belonging to O. Respighi, Santoli organ, various string instruments, ethnic instruments, etc.). Because of these characteristics, the collection can illustrate an important chapter of Bolognese institutional history, as well as the excellence of the artifacts, both outright and as linked to individual musicians, also documentable with archival Academy sources. Temporary exhibitions are also set up in the museum rooms. To complement the museum path, on the second floor of the palace is housed the very rich archive of the Academy.
Information about Museo dell’Accademia Filarmonica
Via Guerrazzi, 13,
40121 Bologna (Bologna)
051222997
info@accademiafilarmonica.it
Source: MIBACT
