With a local we visited this gem of a museum with harpsichords from 15th century onwards to the pianoforte, complete with early organs.Aside of the exhibits and the knowledgeable staff you can enjoy a concert on the early instruments if you are lucky enough to be there when they are playing.
What a beautiful collection of antique instruments. Upon entering this museum, I was so impressed with the pianos, harpsichords and other instruments that grace a large room- so enchantingThe guides were very nice as we're those in the other state museums (Museo civico) that we visited.The only drawback is the lack of air condoning and no air circulation
The Tagliavini collection of historical instruments is housed in an interesting collection of very old buildings. Some of these instruments date back to the 16th century and many are regularly played. Some of the older keyboard instruments have beautiful painted decoration.When we visited, someone was singing and accompanying themselves on a harpsichord, making our visit very special. There is also an interesting crypt to visit with a 13th century wall painting uncovered during restoration work. If you speak some Italian, the staff are very friendly and like to have a chat about the museum. Entry is free.
This is a lesser known gem -- really, double gem -- in Bologna's historical center. It consists of the restored Oratorio of San Colombano which now houses the Tagliavini collection of historical musical instruments. The instruments are interesting, with particular emphasis on keyboard instruments. The Oratorio itself, however, was of most interest to us. There are wonderful frescoes, nicely restored; a room in the upper level which includes works by most of the leading 18th century Bolognese painters. There is a 13th century fresco of Christ's crucifixion that is available for viewing while it continues to be restored. Well worth the visit.
I've read many enthusiastic reviews, and, as a keyboard musician, was expecting a lot.However, despite the relatively big number of instruments, there is not much variety. Many spinets, many harpsichords. Some rare items too, like the harpsichord/piano bundle, or the glass piano. There is a Viennese action piano available, but you can't see the mechanism.Overall, a dark place with no knowledgeable staff around. The only person there didn't want to go into many details, he would just point to different instruments with angry face. We got an impression that we were disturbing something, and weren't welcome (after paying a high admission price).Also, it's kinda sad seeing instruments that should produce sound and life, being all covered with plastic protectors, so nobody can play'em. It's like seeing stuffed dead animals instead of going to the Zoo....
A must for music lovers. this small but impressive collection of antique musical instruments is well\ taken care of and the curator is usually on hand to either play one of the instruments or answer questions.
Tagliavini's great harpsichord, clavichord, spinet, and piano collection, with instruments from the 1580s into the 20th century, is beautifully curated and exhibited. There are also some mechanical instruments, and a small exhibit of folk instruments. The main hall is the nave of the former church of San Colombano, but instruments are also in other spaces, including the beautifully frescoed oratory of the confraternity of he Madonna dell'Orazione, done by painters associated with the Carracci. In the crypt one can see a rare fresco of the Crucifixion from the 13th century, whose connection to Byzantine painting leaps off the wall. Open Tues. through Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm. You can buy a ticket just for the collection and the spaces that house it, or also one that covers the Palazzo Peopli, Palazzo Fava, Santa Maria della Vita and the Museum of the History of Bologna.
Vale muito a pena para curiosos e amantes da música. O oratório promove muitos concertos, principalmente de música antiga, gratuitamente, acompanhe a programação no site.
A marvellous museum for anyone with an interest in music. A fascinating and beautifully displayed collection of early keyboard instruments and a few wind unstruments. We missed out on a concert where some are actually played but anyone planning a visit should check out concert dates first.. The whole museum is in a beautifully restored old church complete with a recently discovered crypt where we watched a 13th century fresco being painstakingly restored. And on top of a very low entry fee we were given e beautiful guide to the museum in English.
I agree with others that this is a gem of a museum. Both for mainly keyboard instruments and the frescoes. Get the audio guide - you can hear short pieces played on about 10 of the instruments on it -really brings it alive. Concerts are often on Sunday evenings - popular - book ahead. At first you think its just the main part of the church - but there are 2 main additional rooms and they make use of every bit of corridor space. Museum and toilets - allow about an hour with audio guide and if you're interested in school of Carraci frescoes. Excavation and restoration work going on in crypt.