On the evening of August 28, the cloister of the Basilica di Santo Spirito in Florence will be filled with the sounds of Mozart and other European composers, thanks to a special concert by the Bella Musica Ensemble. The event, organized by Friends of Florence, begins at 8:30 PM and is free to attend until seats run out. Readers of Florence Daily News can reserve their free seat using this e-mail. Santo Spirito, the Great Cloister by Ammannati The concert coincides with the feast day of Saint Augustine, a deeply significant occasion for the Augustinian order, which has had a continuous presence in the Santo Spirito convent for centuries. This year, the celebration takes on a special resonance following the recent election of Pope Leo XIV, the first pontiff in modern history to come from the Augustinian order. His papacy, which began in May 2025, has drawn new attention to the order’s intellectual and spiritual legacy within the Catholic Church. The Bella Musica Ensemble brings together young musicians from prestigious European institutions such as the Universität Mozarteum Salzburg, Rome’s Conservatorio Santa Cecilia, the Conservatorio Luigi Boccherini in Lucca, and academies in Vienna and Dresden. Every summer, they unite for a tour that follows the historical “European Mozart Ways”—a cultural route that connects cities once visited by Mozart himself. This year’s tour includes concerts in Siena, Cremona, Milan, Bressanone, and Lucca, where the musicians will perform on original instruments once used by Mozart. The project is led by conductor and artistic director Stefan David Hummel. The ensemble’s mission goes beyond music: it aims to promote cultural unity, social engagement, and European heritage. As part of this commitment, the group also performs in hospices and community settings, using music as a bridge across generations and nationalities. In recognition of this role, the musicians were recently honored as “Rotary Ambassadors.” Friends of Florence, the non-profit behind the event, has long supported the preservation of Florence’s cultural treasures. In the Basilica di Santo Spirito alone, the organization has funded the restoration of masterpieces such as Filippino Lippi’s Neerli Altarpiece, Pietro del Donzello’s Annunciation, two paintings by Alessandro Allori, the Incoronation of the Virginby Giovanni Maria Butteri, and the repositioning of Michelangelo’s Crucifix in the Sacristy. The August 28 concert offers the public a chance to experience all of this in one evening: outstanding young musicians, Renaissance architecture, and a powerful message of shared cultural heritage. Florence Daily News readers are invited to take part by reserving a spot here. Admission is free while seats last. Support Florence Daily News Florence Daily News is an independent news site covering the stories, culture, and life of Florence and Tuscany. We don’t rely on clickbait, invasive or hidden advertising, or paywalls. Instead, we believe in quality journalism that respects our readers and serves those who care about thoughtful, local reporting. If you value our work, consider supporting us with a donation. Donate securely via Stripe below. Make a one-time donationYour contribution is appreciated.DonateMake a monthly donationYour contribution is appreciated.Donate monthlyMake a yearly donationYour contribution is appreciated.Donate yearly
