The Franco Buitoni Award Announces Winners

Simone Frondini and Leonardo Ramadori have won the award alongside a £20,000 cash prize 

Created by the Borletti-Buitoni Trust’s (BBT) founder Ilaria Borletti Buitoni, the prize is a tribute to her late husband Franco Buitoni, co-founder of the BBT. Awarded every other year, the £20,000 prize recognizes Italian musicians who promote and encourage chamber music. 

Oboist Simone Frondini and percussionist Leonardo Ramadori have jointly won the award’s fifth edition for their “commitment to bringing the joy and appreciation of classical music to many differently underprivileged communities throughout Umbria.”

It was 2002 when both winners had proposed a children’s music project to Umbria’s prestigious Amici della Musica di Perugia music association, of which Franco Buitoni was President. The initiative addressed the scarce institutional music provision in the region, including schools where music was no longer on the curriculum. 

With Buitoni’s support, Musica per Crescere (Music to Grow With) was created and has since become an established program of the Fondazione Perugia Musica Classica. 

Over two decades, both winners have created more than 40 productions for schools throughout Perugia and beyond, plus created concert and workshop activities for all people from many communities.

The ceremony to present the Franco Buitoni Award will be held in Perugia on March 22, 2025.

“More than 20 years ago, we approached Franco Buitoni with our proposal to introduce our young generation to the great treasures of music,” Frondini and Ramadori said. “His immediate response of openness and willingness to put us to the test greatly increased our enthusiasm. This award helps us to keep that same emotion alive and vibrant.”

“​​I have been a huge admirer of Simone and Leonardo’s work for many years and I have seen the results of their unwavering dedication to creating awareness and enjoyment of live music, especially for children,” expressed Ilaria Borletti Buitoni. “I truly believe that classical music has an important role to play in everybody’s lives; the experience of listening to music is a unique experience, but it acquires even more value when shared with others,” she continued. “And that sense of community promotes a sense of wellbeing and participation — vital elements for today’s way of life when so much social ‘interaction’ is via various media.”