Teatro Niccolini Chamber Concerts

Since 1920, Florence’s historical chamber music association, the Amici della Musica, has organized programs of the highest international caliber. This week will see a young, talented ensemble will make their Florence debut in addition to performances by a renowned string quartet that was founded in Florence, all held at Teatro Niccolini (via Ricasoli) at 9 pm.

The Lyskamm Quartet will take the stage on Monday, Sept. 26 with a varied program spanning the classicism of Haydn to the contemporary sounds of a 1988 composition by Franco Donatoni.

The 19th century is not overlooked either, with pieces by Schumann, Berg and Webern.

The group was the recipient of the 2015 Vittorio Rimbotti prize awarded by the Fiesole Music School after attending seminars held by the renowned Accademia Europea del Quartetto (European Quartet Academy). The musicians met at Mlan’s Verdi Conservatory and are currently studying under violinist Heime Müller, formerly a member of the Artemis Quartet. Prior to Florence, the Lyskamm Quartet have toured Europe, participating in various music festivals.

The Foné String Quartet, on the concert scene since 1985, will play three dates at the Niccolini from Tuesday, Sept. 27, Wednesday, Sept. 28 and Friday, Sept. 30.

On Tuesday, the group will be joined by two cellists: Olga Arzilli, who has been part of the Italian Youth Orchestra and Scala Chamber Players as well as Giovanni Scaglione formerly of the Cremona Quartet. The musicians will interpret turn-of-the-century compositions, from Debussy to Puccini’s “Chrisantemi” in addition to the popular “Souvenire de Florence” by Tchaikovsky.

On Wednesday, the curtain will rise on the quartet together with Alberto Bocini, who for years played in the Maggio Musicale Orchestra and who also brought together the Bass Gang. There is a change of scene and musical style to feature works by German composers Richard Strauss and Schönberg respectively on war and love and the Austrian Webern, who focuses again on love.

On Friday, the Foné Quartet will recreate the atmosphere of a Russian musical salon held by a publisher of original scores during which the pieces were first performed. The audience will be treated to world of Rimsky-Korsakov and a masterpiece by Tchaikovsky, the String Quartet N. 3, Opus 30.

Tickets are €10 and €5 for conservatory and music students. More information on www.amicimusica.fi.it.