Fiorentino Maggio Musicale Orchestra
Founded in 1928 by Vittorio Gui as Stabile Orchestrale Fiorentina, the Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has performed in the concert and operatic seasons of the Teatro Comunale of Florence since its inception. Gui was succeeded as permanent conductor by Mario Rossi and Bruno Bartoletti; Riccardo Muti and Zubin Mehta have also served as principal conductors.
Throughout its history the Maggio Musicale Orchestra has been led by conductors such as Wilhelm Furtwängler, Otto Klemperer, Herbert von Karajan, Leonard Bernstein, Claudio Abbado, Lorin Maazel, Georg Solti, Riccardo Chailly and Seiji Ozawa. Renowned composers such as Strauss, Stravinsky and Penderecki have conducted their own works at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, often in world premieres.
Since the 1950s, the orchestra has made numerous recordings, many of which have received prestigious awards, including a GRAMMY Award in 1990. The orchestra was awarded the Fiorino d’Oro by the City of Florence on the occasion of its 80th anniversary.
Zubin Mehta is Honorary Conductor for Life, and the orchestra regularly embarks on international tours under his baton, including appearances at the Salzburg and Grafenegg festivals, EXPO 2020 in Dubai, and a tour of China in July 2025. Daniele Gatti served as principal conductor from 2022 to 2024, and currently serves as music director.
