Associazione MusicaMente

Associazione MusicaMente is a non-profit cultural association based in Palermo, Italy, founded in 2002. It is dedicated to the promotion and enhancement of musical culture in all its forms, primarily through the activities of its two ensembles, Arianna Art Ensemble and Affinità di Quarta. The association operates in four main areas: concert production, educational workshops, seminars and music courses, and 'Music in Hospital' projects aimed at health promotion for vulnerable groups. Its concert activities include the rediscovery of unpublished historical Sicilian musical repertoire. The association also engages in social projects, professional training for unemployed youth, and the valorisation of Sicily's artistic heritage through publications and educational materials. Its board members serve voluntarily, and it publishes transparency data in accordance with Italian law. The association is led by President Cinzia Guarino, a pianist and harpsichordist, and Artistic Director Paolo Rigano, a lutenist and composer.

Associazione MusicaMente was founded in Palermo in 2002 with the primary aim of promoting and enhancing musical culture in all its forms. From its inception, the association has operated through two ensembles: Arianna Art Ensemble and Affinità di Quarta. The Arianna Art Ensemble was founded in 2007 by lutenist and composer Paolo Rigano and harpsichordist Cinzia Guarino. It focuses on the vocal and instrumental repertoire of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, performing with period instruments and historical performance practice, and rediscovering unpublished manuscripts. The ensemble also experiments with contemporary music on ancient instruments. Its members have collaborated with prominent formations such as Il Giardino Armonico, Accademia Bizantina, Concerto Italiano, Cappella Gabetta, Zefiro Ensemble, Modo Antiquo, La Chimera, Ensemble Elyma, Studio di Musica Antica Antonio Il Verso, Orchestra Barocca Les Elements, and the Ensemble di Strumenti antichi of the Conservatorio Alessandro Scarlatti di Palermo. They have recorded for various labels and received positive critical acclaim. The ensemble has won numerous prizes in prestigious competitions, including first prize in the 'Ancient Instruments' section of the VII edition of the Premio Nazionale delle Arti in 2010, organized by the Ministry of Higher Artistic Education. To date, the Arianna Art Ensemble has performed in major concert seasons in Italy and at festivals across Europe, including Ravenna Festival, Valletta Baroque Festival, Festival de Baeza in Spain, Festival Trigonale in Austria, Festival de Manacor in Palma de Mallorca, Les Incontres Baroques in Alsace, Nuove Settimane Barocche in Brescia, and the festival L'Invenzione e l'Armonia in Mantua, as well as for Amici della Musica di Udine, Unione Musicale Torino, Teatro Regio di Parma, Amici della Musica di Pesaro, and Amici della Musica dell'Aquila. Since 2002, the association has realized numerous musical projects with its ensembles. It is engaged in four main sectors: concert promotion (including charity concerts and rediscovery of historical Sicilian repertoire), workshops for integration and socialization of handicapped students in public schools (project Ritmo-suono-movimento), seminars and music courses, and 'Music in Hospital' projects for health promotion among vulnerable groups, curated by board member Dr. Salvo Siciliano, responsible for the Health Promotion Unit of the Azienda Ospedale Riuniti Cervello-Villa Sofia in Palermo. The association also aims to conduct studies and research in social and artistic sectors, provide professional training for unemployed youth, valorise Sicily's artistic heritage through publications and educational materials, and support disadvantaged and handicapped individuals. The board of directors, elected by the members' assembly on 18 December 2023, serves until 18 December 2026. All board members serve voluntarily. The artistic direction is a gratuitous appointment, confirmed by the board on 14 January 2025 for the period 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2027. The association publishes transparency data in accordance with Italian law (art. 9, comma 2 and 3 of decreto Legge 8 agosto 2013, n. 91, converted with legge 7 ottobre 2013 n. 112, and art. 1, commi 125-129, Legge n. 124 del 04/08/2017).

• 2025

  Artistic direction confirmed for 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2027.

• 2023

  Board of directors elected by members' assembly on 18 December, serving until 18 December 2026.

• 2010

  Arianna Art Ensemble wins first prize in the 'Ancient Instruments' section of the VII Premio Nazionale delle Arti.

• 2007

  Arianna Art Ensemble founded by Paolo Rigano and Cinzia Guarino.

• 2002

  Associazione MusicaMente founded in Palermo.

Non-profit cultural association promoting music culture, social inclusion, and health through music in Sicily.

• Arianna Art Ensemble

  Ensemble specializing in Renaissance and Baroque repertoire with period instruments, founded in 2007.

• Affinità di Quarta

  Ensemble of the association, active in various musical projects.

• Ritmo-suono-movimento

  Workshop project for integration and socialization of handicapped students in public schools.

• Music in Hospital

  Projects for health promotion among vulnerable groups, curated by Dr. Salvo Siciliano.

1. 1MusicaMenteassociazionemusicamente.com
2. 2Ensemble | musicamenteassociazionemusicamente.com
3. 3Chi siamo MusicaMenteassociazionemusicamente.com
4. 4Chi siamo MusicaMenteassociazionemusicamente.com
5. 5Wikidatawikidata.org