Maiolati Spontini
Accademia Dorica – Early Music Experience is set in Maiolati Spontini, a place like no other: a gorgeous medieval borough in the Central Italian Hills in the Marche region, birthplace of composer Gaspare Spontini.
Maiolati Spontini was founded in the 13th century as a castle, on the territory of an even earlier convent (1000a.d.): the history of the village has seen different peoples and different events crossing, but the architecture of the borough seems to have frozen centuries ago and the doors of the castle are still clearly visible.
The village now has around 300 inhabitants, but throughout its history the most illustrious was certainly Gaspare Spontini, the famous composer at Napoleon’s court. He had great fortune throughout Europe, but he never forgot his Maiolati to which he donated much of his wealth. For this reason Maiolati Spontini boasts, among other beauties, a gorgeous park, Colle Celeste, where one may take relaxing walks or even study immersed in nature.
Maiolati Spontini is 450 m above sea level and has the perfect weather during the summer: warm during the day with a fresh breeze in the evening.
Housing: Casa Paolo VI
Students, teachers and staff will stay at Casa Paolo VI, a 1500m2 building surrounded by a beautiful park (another one!). On the first floor there are some common areas, where one can spend some free time or rehearse chamber music; a little chapel and the dining hall, where everyone will enjoy their meals all together; rooms are located on the second and third floor. Most rooms are singles, but there are some doubles as well and they all have private restrooms. Casa Paolo VI features a terrace with a stunning panoramic view.
Teaching venues
During Accademia Dorica – Early Music Experience Maiolati Spontini will become your campus: while some classes will be held at Casa Paolo VI, some other classes, lectures and rehearsals will take place in different venues across the village (do not fret – it’s a small village!), such as the Spontini Theatre, the Spontini Museum, Casa delle Fanciulle and other historical buildings. A map with all the venues and every detail (restaurants, minimarket…) will be provided to each participant.
Surroundings
Maiolati Spontini is surrounded by the picturesque hills of Central Italy and many other ancient villages well worth visiting. Jesi and Ancona are the closest cities, but Maiolati Spontini is also only a 30 minute drive from the seaside, the beautiful Riviera del Conero, 2.5 hours from Bologna, 2.5 hours from Florence and 3 hours from Rome.
