Parma Conservatory

It was originally established as the Regia Scuola di Canto, a school for singing in 1819 by Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma, and expanded into a conservatory of music in 1825.

Initially a school open only to men, the Parma Conservatory became a co-education institution in 1855 known as the Regia Scuola di Musica.

[2] The school was operated by Francesco Z. Poncini, the organist of the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Steccata,[1] until it closed in 1792.

[2][1] The school was originally housed at the Chiesa di San Ludovico and was initially established as another school for singing in 1819 with the purpose of providing trained choristers to sing at the Teatro Ducale and the Chiesa di San Ludovico.

[2] The composer Arrigo Boito succeeded Giovanni Bottesini as director of the Parma Conservatory in 1889; serving in that post until 1897.