Musical Instruments Museum at the Accademia Gallery

Musical Instruments Museum at the Accademia Gallery
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Museum of Musical Instruments
If you go crazy for opera, theater and classic music, the Accademia is one of the best places you should visit in Florence. It hosts the
Grand Ducal collection
of about
50 musical
instruments
in the wing belonging to the
Luigi Cherubini Conservatory
. The works reveal that music played a primary role in everyday life and official celebrations of the Medicean Court through excellent sound, refined materials and high aesthetic value.
Exploring the collection of elegant
harpsichords
,
string
and
wind instruments
, the visitor can get to the roots of the invention of the
piano
, created by
Bartolomeo Cristofori
for the Medicis around
1699
. Multimedia systems provide visitors with information about the features and sounds of the instruments as well as about the explanation of the grandiose festivals arranged in town by the Medici in villas or theaters,  proudly showcasing the richness of the cultural atmosphere of the 17th century.
Viola by Stradivari
One of the most precious works exhibited at the Accademia is the one-of-a-kind
tenor viola
made by
Antonio Stradivari
in
1690
. The viola is built in red spruce and maple wood of exceptional quality, decorated with
the Medici crest
in mother of pearl, ivory and ebony inlays. The tenor viola was part of the top five instruments used by the “
Medici quintet
”, a unique group of
five string elements
exclusively built for the
Grand Prince Ferdinand
and
dated 1690
. The Viola is an outstanding masterpiece, the only one entirely conserved in its
original splendor
.
The invention of the Piano
Bartolomeo Cristofori
(1655-1732) was hired by
Grand Prince Ferdinand de’ Medici
in
1688
. He dedicated his life to build musical instruments and experiment new materials and sounds. Among his creations are the
spinnets
and
harpsichords
, as well as an extraordinary invention called “
pianoforte
” (piano) mentioned within official documents. Multimedia displays allow the visitors to hear the sounds of this first piano, and how it differs from its forerunner, the
harpsichord
.
The “oval spienetta” by Cristofori
Musicians at Court
The musicians hired by the Medicis and their instruments at the Court of Grand Prince Ferdinando were portrayed by
Anton Domenico Gabbiani
in a cycle of canvases painted by 1685 and 1690. His portraits and depiction of garments and instruments are so faithful that it was possible to identify
Pietro Salvetti
and
Francesco Veracini
, composers and music directors for the Medicis. In the hall dedicated to Bartolomeo Cristofori, inventor of the piano, you can admire a collection of XVII century still-lives which depict elegant tables presenting refined musical instruments and inviting fruits.
About Accademia.org
Accademia.org is an informational guide written by a team of locals that love Florence and art!
We are NOT the official site
nor do we have a direct connection to the Accademia Gallery museum.
This website does not sell tickets or tours, but offers visitors the opportunity to book through affiliate links on third party websites.
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