On the way of classical music

The name of Venice has always been inextricably linked to classical music, to great composers here have found the inspiration to compose works which are still played and listened to all over the world. Among these, there are enough to remember the names of Monteverdi, Albinoni, Vivaldi, Galuppi, Wagner, Stravinsky and Nono. Music has always occupied an important role in many religious and secular celebrations that followed each other in the lagoon and you could watch real concerts in hospitals (institutions pitiful hospitality ), in churches, in academia and in the private and public courtyards.

To retrace the footsteps of these great composers, the first step required is at the Conservatorio Benedetto Marcello, what is based in Palazzo Pisani (San Marco 2810), in Campo Santo Stefano. Its library is one of the richest and most important and has a portfolio of over 50 thousand volumes, including monographs, sheet music and scores, as well as an impressive collection of Italian and international periodicals (open from Monday to Friday 10am-2pm) .

A short walk from the Conservatory you can visit the Church of San Vidal, where there is a museum (free entry 10am-7pm) , which tells the eighteenth century through the great culture and of the Cremonese school of violin making. In the nearby Church of San Maurizio, in the homonymous field, there is another museum of music, where the art of music is combined with the flair of violin making through more than 150 original instruments on display. Open every day from 9.30am to 7pm, free entrance.

Another important step is the Church of San Giovanni in Bragora (Campo della Bragora 3790, open Monday to Saturday, 3:30 to 5:30pm, Sunday 10.30-12pm). In it you can see the baptismal font where 6 May 1678 was christened Antonio Vivaldi, the ” red priest ” you can read a copy of his baptismal certificate .

From Bragora then goes to the Church of the Pietà, whose name is forever linked to that of Vivaldi and other famous composers. In large choirs were performing the “daughters of Choro” recalling a wide audience of viewers. The church is open from Tuesday to Friday 10.15-12 and 3-5pm, Saturday and Sunday 10.15-1pm and 2-5pm . Inside you can also visit the “Small museum Antonio Vivaldi”, in which is preserved a collection of Baroque musical instruments. The tour is by reservation only (for information 041.5222171-5237395 , cultura@pietavenezia.org ) .

The tour continues to the old Ospedaletto of Derelitti (Barbaria de le Tole – Castello 6691 ), famous for the musical tradition of the choirs of young orphans schooled by teachers. In addition to the Music Room, are to be seen also the organ by Pietro Nacchini and courtyard called the “Four Seasons”. The tour is by reservation only (041.2719012, info@scalabovolo.org) .

The route then plans to move to the Wagner Museum, housed in the mezzanine floor of the Casino (Cannaregio 2040). In addition to valuable documents on the famous composer, it is also exposed in the collection of Josef Lienhart with posters, scores, autograph letters, paintings, records, lithographs and memorabilia. The reservation must be made to visit at +39.338.416.4174 or email arwv@libero.it .

The last stage can only be the Gran Teatro La Fenice, a victim of the fire of 1996. Rebuilt as it was and where it was, La Fenice is a center of production of primary importance. The theater is open every day from 9.30 to 6pm (for information 041.786672, visite@festfenice.com) .