A salon is an intimate, intellectually vibrant gathering where people come together to exchange bold ideas, challenge conventions, and revel in culture. Unlike formal lectures or academic panels, salons are conversational by nature — blending performance, discussion, and debate in an atmosphere that’s both stimulating and social. Born in the living rooms of infamous women, salons thrive on curiosity, wit, and the joy of shared discovery. Whether sparked by a piece of music, a provocative question, or a historical scandal, the heart of the salon is dialogue — and the freedom to follow wherever it leads.
From Forbidden Affairs to Fistfights in the Pit — The truth behind classical music. Only at Salon BRAVISSIMO!.
The term salon suggests some modicum of regularity, say, weekly or monthly, and with that regularity came conversation, connection and community.
While the roots of the salon can be found in Ancient Greece and Rome, the first recorded salons took place in Italy in the 15th Century, and these were a precursor to the Enlightenment Period.
Isabella d’Este (1474-1533) and Elisabetta Gonzaga (1471 – 1526) were sister-in-laws in Renaissance Italy who hosted salons that had a huge reach. They are credited with having had such an influence with their gatherings that France picked up on the trend and thus, the world of French salons was born.
Salon BRAVISSIMO!, is dedicated to uncovering the untold, dramatic, and often outrageous stories behind classical music’s most iconic figures — bringing history to life through curiosity, conversation, and a touch of irreverence.
Tickets: Suggested donation $15 at the door, cash or card accepted
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