City of Bologna Dedicates Piazza to Claudio Abbado, Ten Years After his Death

The dedicated green space is next to the Basilica di Santi Stefano, close to the place where Abbado lived out his final years

The Italian city of Bologna has dedicated a green space to the renowned conductor Claudio Abbado, to mark the tenth anniversary of his death — which was on January 20, 2014.

The area is in the gardens next to the Basilica di Santi Stefano, a place that was dear to Abbado while he lived out the last years of his life in Bologna. Following his death, thousands of people gathered in the gardens to pay tribute to him.

During his time in Bologna, Abbado founded the Mozart Orchestra and also created the Accademia Filarmonica di Bologna. His contribution to culture in the city was part of the reason that its officials elected to honor his legacy in this way.

"Maestro Claudio Abbado has left an important and dear memory in all the cities and places where he brought his music and his presence," said Elena Di Gioia, Bologna's Delegate for Culture.

"We identified the gardens of the Basilica of Santo Stefano, a place dear to him, for naming in memory of the Maestro as a profound sign of esteem and affection for a life which, with artistic rigor and generosity, combined extraordinary musical and cultural competence with a unique sensitivity due to the need to always reach new audiences."

"We are happy and thank the municipal administration and the metropolitan city of Bologna for the dedication in memory of our father," said Abbado's children.

"It is a gesture of gratitude and affection on the part of this city that Claudio loved and in which he chose to live since 2004. Dedicating a green area to him in Piazza Santo Stefano takes on a deeper meaning, because he was particularly attached to this place...today this seed continues to bear fruit and enrich the city."