A simple idea sparks a new cultural ecosystem
2026 marks an important milestone for Le Dimore del Quartetto, as it celebrates ten years of activity as an international creative cultural enterprise committed to promoting chamber music and cultural heritage, fostering social inclusion and innovation, and generating a circular economy. Our journey began by responding to specific needs: on the one hand, those of young chamber music ensembles looking for large, quiet spaces where they could concentrate before a performance; on the other, the desire among historic residences to enrich their surroundings with high-quality cultural content capable of restoring life and meaning to these spaces.
This encounter sparked an original concept that combines artistic residencies and complex cultural projects, connecting musicians, communities and historic venues. Today, Le Dimore del Quartetto carries out diverse and innovative activities, including open rehearsals, concerts, festivals, training courses, educational projects and special initiatives, generating shared value and promoting social cohesion through culture. This novel approach responds to the new cultural and social needs of the local areas, whilst remaining faithful to the mission to support young talent and enhance heritage in a sustainable manner.
“Since 2016, we have been supporting talent, promoting heritage and connecting communities through music,” says Francesca Moncada, founder of Le Dimore del Quartetto – “Over the past ten years, we have boldly experimented with new formulas, ventured into unknown territory and rewritten the rules of the game. The result is there for all to see and, above all, hear: we’ve achieved unprecedented goals by teaming up with partners and supporters and helping hundreds and hundreds of musicians launch their careers. Our innovative model, which has been studied by universities and foundations, has responded to the new needs of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, communities and local areas, creating a virtuous circular economy that benefits all.“






Over the course of ten years, the network has supported more than 178 international ensembles, which have participated in more than 3,000 days of residency in over 300 locations, including historic residences, villas, castles, abbeys and palaces, spread across 18 countries. These activities are complemented by more than 1,000 concerts and rehearsals open to the public, which have reached over 65,000 spectators. Each residency, concert and meeting has contributed to building a unique cultural ecosystem, where musicians, local communities and historic sites meet and enrich each other.
This journey has been made possible thanks to the constant support of partners, sponsors and institutions who have believed in the project over the years. Through collaboration with festivals, foundations, local authorities and an international network of historic residences and cultural operators, Le Dimore del Quartetto has been able to develop its activities, consolidating an international network model based on sharing resources, the circularity of skills and a common vision.
2026 marks the tenth anniversary, which will be celebrated through a special programme of events designed to provide opportunities for gathering, exchange and reflection, involving musicians, partners, stakeholders and the public. All artistic and cultural activities throughout the year will be symbolically and conceptually aligned with the celebrations, making the tenth anniversary a widespread and inclusive experience.
The first major event will be held in Florence in July 2026, where Palazzo Corsini will host a meeting dedicated to the historic residences in the network. Owners from all over Europe will gather for an afternoon of themed workshops, networking and live music: an opportunity to discuss the role of historic residences as living cultural centres and the contribution of music to their promotion.
In Milan, on 15 September 2026, celebrations will unfold with a public event in Piazza Belgiojoso, marking the fifth anniversary of the unveiling of the statue of Cristina Trivulzio di Belgiojoso. Together with the Brivio Sforza Foundation, Le Dimore del Quartetto is organising a widespread event dedicated to remembrance, music and dialogue between culture and community. Concerts, meetings, readings and discussions will involve schools, associations, citizens and cultural stakeholders, offering a shared reflection on the civic value of culture and the ability of cultural networks to generate social impact.
The celebrations will culminate in autumn in Cremona, where the “city of music” will welcome international partners from the music sector over several days. The event will unite the entire network for the MERITA European project meeting, involving 19 partners in 16 countries, and the annual Le Dimore del Quartetto ceremony. Concerts, workshops, presentations and meetings will give rise to an international discussion on the themes of training, artistic mobility and innovation in chamber music.
Alongside the celebratory initiatives, Le Dimore del Quartetto will continue its mission of supporting young talent in 2026, offering artistic residencies, concerts, training and mentoring, while contributing to the enhancement of historic sites and the strengthening of local communities.
The tenth anniversary is therefore not only a time for celebration, but also an opportunity to relaunch a shared vision of the future: an international cultural ecosystem in which chamber music becomes a tool for connection, innovation and cohesion between artists, institutions and communities.
Wednesday, July 1st, 2026, from 5:00 PM, Palazzo Corsini in Florence will host the Cultural Heritage Forum, a gathering dedicated to the owners and managers of the historic houses and heritage sites within the Le Dimore del Quartetto network.
Conceived as a space for dialogue and exchange, the Forum brings together cultural heritage professionals to share experiences and explore new opportunities for collaboration. The day will conclude with a networking aperitif and a concert by an ensemble from the network.
On Thursday 29th and Friday 30th, October, 2026, Le Dimore del Quartetto, in collaboration with Fondazione Stauffer and the Museo del Violino of Cremona, is organizing, within the framework of the European platform MERITA, two days of musical networking dedicated to connect European networks, artists, professionals, and institutions, hosted in Cremona, a city that symbolizes musical and cultural excellence.
The event brings together the international and national chamber music community, creating a space for dialogue, exchange, and collaboration among the main stakeholders in the sector.





