Founded in 2017, the ensemble “Bella Musica” is made up of young musicians from the Mozarteum University and follows in the steps of Mozart by touring all over Europe. Musicians from Rome, Lucca, Vienna and Dresden come together to play music, working under the official title “Ambassadors of the European Mozart Paths”. The initiative conveys a message of cultural exchange, dialogue and understanding that transcends national borders and shows impressively how the powerful music is as a force for forging connections in a time of social challenges. This attitude is also lived out through social responsibility – the ensemble has performed for patients at the Vatican’s hospital for children Bambin Gesù as well as in hospices and residential care homes, and given charity concerts in aid of earthquake victims, those isolated as a result of the pandemic, and educational charities such as “Sanitansamble” in Nepal. This commitment to social causes was recognised in June 2025, when the ensemble was officially named by the Rotary District 1920 as a “Rotary Ambassador”– honouring their work in promoting humanity, friendship and understanding through music.
The 2025 tour takes the ensemble to Italy, beginning in Lucca and moving on to the Chigiana Festival in Siena – where the Mozarteum University’s Baroque Summer Academy will be running concurrently – before they perform in Florence at the Basilica Santo Spirito, the favourite church of the new Pope Leo XIV. The next stop will be the Violin Museum in Cremona, followed by Milan (where the premiere of Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate took place), and ending with the ensemble’s first appearance in Brixen, at the Emperor’s Hall at the Hofburg, where Mozart performed in 1771.
Like their predecessors, the Ensemble of 2025 will also makes their mark on the musical and cultural scene. The young violinist Ida Gillesberger (Mozarteum University Salzburg’ Pre-college, Class: Anneliese-Clara Gahl) will perform together with Fabrizio Datteri, a graduate of the Conservatorio “Luigi Boccherini”, on 1st September 2025 at 11.30am in the Puccini Museum in Lucca, where the two of them will play Mozart’s own violin and Puccini’s piano. This momentous occasion, which builds a bridge between Salzburg and Lucca on the initiative of the mayor of Lucca Mario Pardini, will be documented by both Austrian and Italian national television.
Mozart’s Violin
Dr. Johannes Honsig-Erlenburg, President of the International Mozart Foundation, and Linus Klumpner, Director of the Salzburg Mozart Museums, will make a special trip to Lucca to deliver in person not only Mozart’s Viola, a North Italian instrument built around 1700, but also the Klotz Violin, built in the famous workshop of the luthier family Klotz, from Mittenwald in southern Germany. The Klotz violin was Mozart’s preferred instrument during the period he spent at the Court of the Prince Archbishop in Salzburg. It was during this period, 1773-1775, that he composed not only his five violin concertos (KV 207, 211, 216, 218, 219) but also his famous Sinfonia Concertante KV 364, which will also be performed in Lucca.
Students of the Mozarteum University such as Marinus Kreidt (Class: Thomas Riebl), Moritz Defregger (Class: Lukas Hagen) and Laura Sophia Hummel (Class: Hagai Shaham) will thus have the opportunity to play two instruments that belonged to Mozart.
Puccini's Piano
The Puccini piano, housed at the Puccini Museum in Lucca, is a valuable exhibit at the birthplace of the world famous composer Giacomo Puccini. The instrument was built by Steinway & Sons and was an essential partner for Puccini in his composition process; parts of his last opera “Turandot” are known to have been composed using this piano. The museum is also home to furniture and numerous personal items that belonged to the composer, which helps to recreate and bring to life the atmosphere of his childhood and youth. The piano itself is a central symbol for Puccini’s musical work and the connection with his home town, Lucca. The piano (Model B-211, Serial number 98606) was purchased by Giacomo Puccini in the spring of 1901.
“For Wolfgang Amadé Mozart, the grand tour through Italy was essential for him as a young man. It played a significant role in his journey from child prodigy to great master and made a lasting impact on his creative output. This is explained by the rich musical history of the country hailed as the birthplace of opera. It is against this background that the International Mozart Foundation will accompany the Ensemble Bella Musica at selected concerts in Italy. It is in the spirit of the young genius that, 250 years after Wolfgang Amadé’s own journey to this city, a handful of exceptionally talented young musicians will be making his instruments ring out once again. It is moments such as these, where Mozart’s music is performed in a highly charged atmosphere, that fulfil the mission of the Mozarteum Foundation to ensure that the magic of the composer lives on by reaching and touching audiences throughout the world. This year will include an unexpected highlight, as instruments belonging to Wolfgang Amadé Mozart and Giacomo Puccini sound together for the very first time. It is an extraordinary way to bring together two giants of the opera world posthumously."
Linus Klumpner, Director of the Mozart Museums
A further highlight of the tour will be the world premiere of a symphony by the composer Marianna Bottini (1802–1858), a musician from Lucca who was admitted to the Accademia Filarmonica di Bologna at the age of just 18 – 50 years after Mozart. The creative genius of Antonio Salieri, Mozart’s contemporary, will also be on display, in the year that marks the 200th anniversary of his death.
“What I find so fascinating about Bella Musica is the level of enthusiasm with which young people are introduced to the music, life, influence and travels of Mozart. This grassroots cultural project at a European level truly mirrors the values of the Mozarteum University Salzburg. We are immensely grateful to all initiators, supporters and private sponsors for their valuable contribution and dedication to the cause.”
Elisabeth Gutjahr, Rector of the Mozarteum University Salzburg
The project “Bella Musica”, under the artistic direction of Stefan David Hummel, is a tribute to European cultural heritage that is based on respect, diversity and peace. In the current era of global tensions, the tour takes a stand for communication, solidarity, and a Europe that is built on dialogue and mutual appreciation.
“Our mission, as Bella Musica, is to bring together people through music – across borders, cultures and generations. The spirit of Mozart inspires us to encourage young talent and to show them how music can give people strength and hope. We see our core values as respect, diversity and collaboration. By engaging in dialogue with others and using music as a common language, we are building bridges – for an open Europe and a vibrant community.”
Stefan David Hummel, Initiator and Artistic Director
Press conference:
1st September 2025, 11.30am
Puccini Museum Lucca, Corte S. Lorenzo, 9, 55100 Lucca LU, Italy
Press representatives are kindly requested to register in advance by contacting: stefan_david.hummel@moz.ac.at
Tour dates:
23.8.–4.9.2025: Rehearsal camp & concerts
26.8.2025, 5.00pm, Charity Project: Hospiz Pia Casa, Lucca
27.8.2025, 7.30pm, Charity Project: Villa Reale di Marlia, Lucca
28.8.2025, 8.30pm, Charity Project: Basilica di Santo Spirito, Florence
29.8.2025, 9.15pm, Chigiana International Festival, Teatro dei Rozzi, Siena
31.8.2025, 11.00am, Basilica Santa Maria Forisportam, Lucca
31.8.2025, 7.30pm, Villa Lucchese, Lucca
1.9.2025, 8:30pm, Teatro di San Girolamo, Lucca
2.9.2025, 9:00pm, Museo del Violino, Cremona
3.9.2025, 9:0pm, Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Abate, Milan
4.9.2025, 7:00pm, Kaisersaal Hofburg, Brixen
