Historic Santo Spirito’s Tronci organ returns after restoration

The historic Tronci organ inside the Basilica of Santo Spirito in Florence is set to sound again after more than six decades of silence, following a complex restoration made possible by the support of the non-profit foundation Friends of Florence.

The instrument and its decorative structure — including the carved wooden choir loft (cantoria) and case — were formally presented on 23 April 2026, after an intervention carried out under the supervision of Italy’s heritage authority and funded through a donation by Jim and Janet Dicke II. 

A restoration bringing sound back to the basilica

The project involved both the musical instrument and its elaborate decorative setting, restoring not only the physical integrity of the structure but also its original function within the church.

The organ, rebuilt in 1824 by the Tronci family of organ makers and later expanded in the 19th century, is a large Romantic-era instrument with 68 keys and 38 stops, designed to reproduce orchestral sounds ranging from trumpets to clarinets and bells. 

Restoration works were carried out by the firm Chichi Organi for the instrument itself, while the decorative elements were restored by a team led by conservator Sandra Pucci. 

Beyond technical repairs, the intervention also revealed the original appearance of the wooden choir loft. Layers of later grey paint were removed, bringing back the walnut surface and gilded details, and restoring the overall aesthetic coherence of the structure. 

Friends of Florence’s role

The restoration highlights once again the role of Friends of Florence, a US-based foundation that funds conservation projects across the city’s cultural heritage.

In Santo Spirito alone, the organisation has supported multiple interventions over the years, including works in the sacristy, major altarpieces and sculptures. With the organ project, the foundation has contributed not only to preserving an artwork, but also to reactivating a key element of the basilica’s liturgical and cultural life. 

The funding provided by Friends of Florence — through private donors — covered the full restoration, allowing the instrument to return to use after decades of inactivity. 

More broadly, the project reflects the foundation’s approach: combining conservation with public accessibility and long-term use, ensuring that restored works remain part of the living fabric of the city rather than static museum pieces.

A layered history: from the Renaissance to the 19th century

Research conducted during the restoration clarified the origins of the choir loft and earlier organ, dating them to the early 1550s, when they were commissioned for the Augustinian basilica at a cost of 1,000 scudi. 

The current instrument, however, belongs to a later phase. It replaced earlier versions and was progressively modified over time, reflecting changing musical needs and tastes.

The result is a hybrid instrument, combining pipes from different periods but largely shaped by 19th-century developments, when organs were designed to emulate the richness of orchestral music.

Cultural and community impact

The restoration is expected to have an impact beyond heritage conservation. The return of the organ reintroduces live music into a space designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, where acoustics and architecture were conceived as part of a unified experience.

For the Augustinian community that manages the basilica, the instrument plays a central role in liturgy, while also opening new possibilities for concerts and cultural events accessible to the public.

Upcoming events

The restored organ will be inaugurated with a public concert on:

• 24 April 2026, 7 p.m. – Basilica of Santo Spirito
  Organ concert by Gabriele Giacomelli, featuring works by 19th-century composers and music connected to the basilica’s historical repertoire. 

A second event is scheduled for:

• 26 April 2026, 10:30 a.m. – Solemn Mass with the participation of Archbishop Gherardo Gambelli. 

Both events are open to the public and mark the official return of the instrument to the life of the church.

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