“In the sign of Apollo”: a series of encounters between art and music

The Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence, in collaboration with the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory, is organising a series of encounters between art and music:'Nel segno di Apollo'(In the Signof Apollo), three events offering visitors an original interpretation of certain works of art, while also strengthening the link with the Museum of Musical Instruments.

Each meeting, lasting about an hour and a half, will be dedicated to a dual interpretation of a work of art preserved at the Accademia Gallery. The museum's art historians will explore the historical and artistic aspects, while a musicologist will provide a historical and musical analysis of the work. In particular, the representation of musical instruments and their symbolism will be brought to the attention of the public. Each meeting will conclude with a short musical performance by students from the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory, directly linked to the historical period or deriving from a musical reflection on the work of art.

The first event,'Sculpture that sings. Lorenzo Bartolini and music', will take place on Monday 16 June at 6 p.m. in the left transept of the Tribuna, overlooking the Gipsoteca, which can be visited at the end of the meeting. Alberto Batisti, professor of music history at the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory of Music, and Giulia Coco, art historian at the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence, will discuss the art of Lorenzo Bartolini and his international clientele, with an excursus on the English-speaking community in Florence and the spread of the waltz in bourgeois society.

The protagonists of this meeting will be the plaster casts of Emma and Julia Campbell, a sculptural group depicting the two sisters Emma and Julia Campbell portrayed in antique clothing, embracing each other and performing a waltz step.

The Lycoris quartet (composed of Pavlos Misirlis, first violin; Emma Pancini, second violin; Natalia Khrenova, viola; and Allegra Britton, cello) will perform music by Franz Joseph Haydn for the occasion. Formed in 2025 when four young musicians from the Florence Conservatory met in Alina Company's class, it was selected to perform in important concert seasons such as the Stagione dell'Oratorio del Gonfalone in Rome.

On Monday 29 September at 6 p.m., the meeting will be held in the left transept of the Tribuna and, starting from the painting by Alessandro Allori, 'Madonna Enthroned with Child', it will explore the iconography of Saint Cecilia as the patron saint of music. Maurizio Biondi, professor of music history at the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory of Music, will speak alongside Alessandra Nardi, art historian at the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence.

At the end of the meeting,the vocal and instrumental ensemble of the Centre for Early Music will perform excerpts from G.F. Handel's Alexander's Feast, or the Power of Music: an Ode in honour of St. Cecilia's Day (1736) for soprano, strings and basso continuo by Handel – the performance is curated by Martino Noferi, lecturer at the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory in Florence.

On Monday 13 October at 6 p.m. in Room 2 on the first floor, the final meeting will be held on Spinello Aretino's 'Coronation of the Virgin with Angels and Saints'. Guglielmo Pianigiani, professor of music history, Luigi Cherubini Conservatory of Music, and Elvira Altiero, art historian at the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence, will analyse the theme of altarpieces as instruments of devotion, the Coronation of the Virgin, and a comparison with other instrumental groups in paintings of similar subjects from the first half of the 15th century. The meeting will concludewith the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory of Music Polyphonic Ensemble, directed by Professor Santa Tomasello, which will perform sacred polyphonic pieces from the early fifteenth century.

The schedule of events is as follows:

Monday 16 June 2025 - 6 p.m., left transept of the Tribuna, overlooking the Gipsoteca

Singing sculpture. Lorenzo Bartolini and music
Speakers:

• Prof. Alberto Batisti, professor of music history, Luigi Cherubini Conservatory of Music
• Dr Giulia Coco, Art Historian, Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence

Music:

• Franz Joseph Haydn

Lycoris Quartet:

• Pavlos Misirlis, first violin
• Emma Pancini, second violin
• Natalia Khrenova, viola
• Allegra Britton, cello
• Ensemble music class for string instruments taught by Prof. Alina Company, Luigi Cherubini Conservatory of Music

After the meeting, it will be possible to visit the plaster cast gallery.

Monday 29 September 2025 – 6 p.m., left transept of the Tribune

Speakers:

• Prof. Maurizio Biondi, professor of music history, Luigi Cherubini Conservatory of Music
• Dr Alessandra Nardi, Art Historian, Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence

Music:

• G.F. Handel excerpts from Ode for St. Cecilia's Day HWV 76 (soprano, strings and basso continuo)

Vocal and instrumental ensemble of the Centre for Early Music, curated by Prof. Martino Noferi, Luigi Cherubini Conservatory of Music, Florence

Monday 13 October 2025 – 6 p.m., First Floor Hall

Speakers:

• prof. Guglielmo Pianigiani, lecturer in Music History, Luigi Cherubini Conservatory of Music
• dr Elvira Altiero, Art Historian, Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence

Sacred polyphonic pieces from the early 15th century

• Polyphonic ensemble of the Conservatory (4 singers), curated by Prof. Santa Tomasello, Luigi Cherubini Conservatory of Music

Admission is free until all available seats are taken.