Accademia Musicale Chigiana

[1] It was founded by Count Guido Chigi-Saracini in 1932 as an international centre for advanced musical studies.

It organises Master Classes in the major musical instruments as well as singing, conducting and composition.

During the summer months a series of concerts are held under the title of Estate Musicale Chigiana.

Amongst the teachers at the academy in the 1950s were Clotilde von Derp and Alexander Sakharoff who stopped their international touring to teach here at the invitation of the Count.

The Quintetto Chigiano took its name from this Academy: its leader, Riccardo Brengola, was Professor Emeritus at the Accademia for 64 years.