Since the orchestra was founded in 2002, the Anghiari Festival has run alongside Sinfonia Smith Square’s core orchestral training programme in the UK, providing exceptional music to visitors, residents, and locals in Italy, and a rewarding challenge to our musicians, who perform a diverse range of music across the week.  Unlike many other festivals, this is not a commercial venture and Sinfonia Smith Square’s core mission is to provide vital training and support for talented musicians as they embark on their careers.

The Festival continues to be a firm highlight for all participants, creating a special connection that lives on in all who have the opportunity to perform (and listen!).  However, it is only made possible through the generous support of our Friends and Patrons who donate to this unique project – members of our ‘Anghiari Circle’.

Ticket income, along with the contribution of generous local sponsors, covers the cost of concert-staging and hospitality for the orchestra, organised by Anghiari’s tourist offices (the Pro Loco and Comune). But Sinfonia Smith Square must additionally raise £50,000 each year to bring the orchestra to Italy.

Costs include:

• Flights for an orchestra of 34 players (plus instruments)
• World class soloists: flights, accommodation, and fees
• Additional players for the performance of larger scale works
• Coach transfers and car hire to get to different locations (and to and from airports)
• Instrument, equipment, and music hire
• Staffing costs (accommodation and travel to Anghiari plus staff time): the festival is a huge logistical challenge and takes months to prepare.

If you can, please consider supporting us and joining our ‘Anghiari Circle’. A contribution of any amount makes an enormous difference in bringing this fantastic part or our orchestral training programme to life.

A huge thank you to all who have already donated. The Festival would fall silent without your generous support – thank you!