There are currently four UNESCO Cities of Music in the world:
Bologna, Italy
500 cultural associations of which 122 promote music
First Italian university to establish a “Department for Art, Music and Shows”
Long-established institutions e.g. Academia Filarmonica founded 1666
Has been home to Mozart, Rossini, Donizetti, Verdi, Wagner and Respighi
International Museum and Library of Music opened 2004
Festivals in classical, rock, composition and intercultural music.
Seville, Spain
Birthplace of flamenco
Place of inspiration for close to thirty operas as well as symphonies, pasadobles and fandangos.
Les Sevillanas is a form of popular music sung and danced during feast days.
Four theatres, five orchestras including Real Orquesta Sinfonica de Sevilla, three universities, six conservatoires including two professional conservatoires.
Festivals in many genres.
Glasgow, Scotland
Largest population of music students in Scotland
Five of the six biggest Scottish employers in the music industry are based in Glasgow
Festivals include Celtic Connections, International Jazz Festival, Piping Live! and the World Pipe Band Championship
Major investment in venues including Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, The City Halls and Old Fruit Market, and Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre as well as The Arches, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Barrowlands and the O2 Academy
Ghent, Belgium
Headquarters of the European Festivals Association
Conservatoire specialising in jazz
Festivals include Gent Jazz Festival, Festival of Flanders, and International Film Festival Ghent which specialises in film music.
