Chigiana Music Academy

The Accademia Musicale Chigiana (Chigi Music Academy) was founded in Siena in 1932 by Count Guido Chigi. The Accademia is a temple to music, situated inside the splendid Palazzo Chigi-Saracini, welcoming classical musicians and singers from all over the world who want to improve their skills through the courses offered by this institution.

The Palazzo has in its museum a notable collection of musical instruments based on a group of bowed instruments commissioned by the Count from the lute-maker Leandro Bisiach and made between 1903 and 1915. Among other precious instruments are a harpsichord built in 1515 by Vincentius and a ’cello by the famous Antonio Stradivarius. Apart from the museum, the Accademia Chigiana has other historic instruments, among them the Bechstein piano that belonged to Liszt. Nowadays the Accademia Musicale Chigiana boasts an extraordinary programme of concerts, attracting performers from all over the world.