The Piedmont has played an important role in the development of music, in general, in Italy, due to the presence of medieval monasteries in that area, institutions that were great preservers of manuscripts in the Middle Ages as well as being geographically well located to connect to musical influences from northern Europe.
As well, the political dominance of the Royal House of Savoy leading up to its eventual installation as the ruling dynasty of united Italy was important.
Also from that period is the Teatro Carignano, which in the late 19th century was the venue for some of the early works of Giacomo Puccini.
Torino was actually the first capital of Italy, but with the final unification of the nation in 1861, that function, has been assumed by Rome.
In the early 20th century, however, Arturo Toscanini became the conductor of the municipal symphony and the musical life of the city was rejuvenated.