Orchestr Toscana Classica

Recognised as one of Italy's most important orchestras, this regional powerhouse is also a frequent and welcome guest of the world's famous stages and concert halls. Achieving national recognition under the leadership of Luciano Berio in the 1980s, the orchestra's commitment to featuring contemporary music alongside the traditional canon has seen it appear at the Venice Biennale and the Strasbourg Music Festival, and receive prizes including the “Franco Abbiati” Music Critics’ Award for its creation of the “Play It!” Festival, which showcases Italian music of the current era. The orchestra is based at Florence's historic Teatro Verdi, where it welcomes a stellar roster of international soloists and guest conductors. Daniele Rustioni is the orchestra's conductor emeritus, having recently handed over artistic and musical direction to Daniele Spini and Diego Ceretta respectively.