Who we are
Incontri in Terra di Siena is a not-for-profit cultural association, based at Villa La Foce in Tuscany, Italy. It was founded in 1988 by cellist Antonio Lysy and his mother Benedetta Origo in memory of Antonio Origo and his wife Iris, the well-known Anglo-American writer. After moving to the area in 1924, the Origos dedicated their lives to the development and progress of the Val d’Orcia and its people.
From the outset, the aim of the festival was to spread the appreciation of music and art through concerts, meetings, exhibitions and cultural events to be held in the many beautiful neighbouring towns of the Val d’Orcia such as Pienza, Montefollonico, Città della Pieve, Sarteano and Castiglioncello del Trinoro.
President, Italian Executive Committee – Benedetta Origo
35 years of Incontri in Terra di Siena
Thinking back to those early days when everything seemed easy and it was all plain sailing, I sometimes wonder how we ever reached this impressive number of years. But music keeps one young, they say, and it’s true that the joy of making and listening to music does not fade with age. I would even say that it grows with the experience and wisdom of the past – our common past that creates our present and, I hope, our future.
There have been many moments of doubt, anxiety, and fears, as well as emotional moments of joy and success, throughout these years. On this occasion, however, I would like to speak with much fondness of Incontri’s public: it is heart-warming to remember the enthusiasm of our first loyal followers who would never miss a concert (a dwindling number now, sadly), and all those who have taken their place with no less enthusiasm, and who tend to consider our “encounters” as a rendez-vous to look forward to every summer. In particular I like to think of the wonderful artist friends who have enjoyed what I call the Valdorcia experience, full of music, beauty, good food, families, and fun, year after year. I also much enjoy going to concerts to hear artists who have been in “our” festival too – and they are many! Finally, thinking of the generations who have grown around Incontri in these 35 years, I want to make a toast in gratitude to its founder, who has left his indelible imprint on this festival, and to his successor, who is leading it today with ever growing success. Thank you both.
Benedetta Origo, March 2023
Festival Director and founder – Antonio Lysy 1963-2024
Grandson of Antonio and Iris Origo, Antonio is both an internationally-acclaimed cellist and current professor at UCLA, as well as being Incontri’s principal founder. In past seasons, he has invited renowned artists Pascal Rogé and Kathryn Stott to be guest Music Directors while inviting musicians such as Maurizio Pollini, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Maxim Vengerov to be on the Incontri’s Honorary Board.
‘If you have access to a slice of heaven that everyone dreams of experiencing, wouldn’t you want to share it?
Since the earliest memories of inviting school friends to La Foce, it was always an aspiration of mine to be able to share this privileged setting with others – for its natural beauty, its history, its significance, and its magical ability to inspire. My grandparents were clearly seized by this same sensation when they first discovered the Val d’Orcia, seduced by its allure and seeing its promise even in such a barren state.
The concert series started simply, idealistically, and yes, also for selfish reasons (I was just stepping out of college and into the profession). It was a means for friends and kindred spirits to unite and to contemplate the masterworks of chamber music in a peaceful retreat – albeit with the inevitable goal-driven incentive that all performers are guided by- and to present our art to an appreciative audience at the highest possible standards. The circumstances couldn’t have been more ideal.
Besides the loving tribute to my grandparents and to the remarkable philanthropic work they achieved in the region, the Incontri’s inception was a breath of fresh air in the valley, presenting something new, stimulating and relevant through music and art. The festival developed quickly and attracted an enthusiastic following thanks to the indefatigable efforts of my mother, our founding members, our many supporters around the world, the stream of masterly artists, the press, and the tireless team of individuals who still give their time and skills to its management today. The participation of the Locanda dell’Amorosa along with neighboring towns and ‘borghi’ introduced an itinerant flavor to the series, broadening the Incontri’s inclusive experience and adding a unique romance and charm. Unbelievably, one executive committee member –Alfiero Mazzuoli-has not missed a single event in all these years.
Thirty-five years on, the Incontri has not only achieved its place on the international stage, but is indelibly rooted in the fertile soil of the Val d’Orcia. For those few fleeting yet splendid summer nights, it has become the spirit and soul of the valley. Let’s look ahead together to many happy returns, hoping to share with you, our devoted public, many further magical opportunities’.
Antonio Lysy, March 2023
Artistic Director – Alessio Bax
Pianist Alessio Bax became Artistic Director of the Incontri in 2017.
Combining exceptional lyricism and insight with consummate technique, Alessio is without a doubt ‘among the most remarkable young pianists now before the public’ (Gramophone). He catapulted to prominence with First Prize wins at both the Leeds and Hamamatsu International Piano Competitions, and is now a familiar face on four continents, not only as a recitalist and chamber musician, but as a concerto soloist who has appeared with more than 100 orchestras.
‘There are many excellent music festivals in the world, but I find that those which are truly successful and long lasting have their own clear identity. Incontri in Terra di Siena is one of these. While the connection that Incontri has with the surrounding land is undeniably strong, it is the unique history of the place and the eclectic mix of people supporting the festival that have made it what it is. This goes well beyond Italy as a country in the true spirit of art, music, friendship and beauty.
Immersed in the magnificent setting of La Foce and of the Val d’Orcia, our world class musicians manage to create, year after year, something truly special and quite unique. It is almost as if the great music created at the Incontri belongs to the land, enhancing its beauty and leaving us, as audience members, with truly profound and gratifying experiences that stay with us for a very long time’.
Alessio Bax, March 2023
What the press have said about us over the years:
“…the brilliance of the Incontri continues to draw visitors and musicians to La Foce.” – Concerti –
“Incontri is a festival embedded not just in the landscape and towns of Tuscany but also its history.” – The Arts Desk –
“One of the most enjoyable musical enterprises of the Tuscan summer” – Financial Times –
“A Tuscan musical fairytale” – Luister –
To read the full articles and more, Click HERE
Festival Manager
Nicky Swallow
Segreteria
Tommaso Carzaniga
Social Media Manager
Melanie Lechmann
BOARD MEMBERS
Executive Committee (Italy)
Benedetta Origo (President), Fulvia Mazzuoli (Vice President), Anne M. Bauer, Antonio Lysy, Alfiero Mazzuoli, Antonella Notari-Vischer, Carol Van Wonterghem.
Friends of Incontri (US) Board members
Antonio Lysy (President), Michael P. Bertrando (Vice President), Theresa Chaides (Secretary/Treasurer)
Nancy Bertrando, Suzanne Deal Booth, Michael Cioffi, AMB Robert Gosende, Katia Lysy, Margaret Lysy, Benedetta Origo, Bruno Santonocito, AMB Urs Ziswiler.
Founding Members
Alessandro Alì, Carlo Citterio, Antonio Lysy, Benedetta Origo, Emanuela Stramana, Alberto Versace
Honorary Board Members
Marella Agnelli, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Paolo Baratta, Colin Firth, Maurizio Pollini, Gioacchino Lanza Tomasi, Maxim Vengerov.
Marella Agnelli, Franco Buitoni, Hans Werner Henze, Yehudi Menuhin, Goffredo Petrassi, Vittorio Ripa di Meana, Luigi Spaventa, Roman Vlad