SERAPHINO APS (Third Sector Organization) was founded in 2018 from the vision of two musicians, Natalie Dentini and Vlad Stanculeasa, together with co-founders Ettore Causa and Antonio Lysy, whose inspiration continues to guide the Academy even after his passing in 2024.
The project is rooted in the artistic and cultural legacy of George Enescu, embraced by Yehudi Menuhin and passed on to the founders of NUME Academy through Alberto Lysy, their teacher and mentor.
The mission of Seraphino is to promote classical music and support young international talents by offering high-level training programs free of charge, including masterclasses, workshops, and direct encounters with world-renowned artists.
This educational model – unique in Italy – aims to bring to the national stage a level of excellence and competitiveness comparable to that of the world's leading musical institutions.
Seraphino stands out for its attention to the individual, its meticulous care, and the quality of its teaching, making elite musical education accessible to those who demonstrate talent, dedication, and passion.
At the same time, the association promotes initiatives that bring some of the world's greatest performers to Italy – including Gidon Kremer, Steven Isserlis, Augustin Hadelich, Ettore Causa, Stella Chen, Tabea Zimmermann, the Belcea Quartet, and many others.
Through their presence and direct interaction with students and audiences, Seraphino fosters a new standard of artistic and educational excellence in Italy, standing out as one of the few organizations capable of truly competing at the highest international level.
The association also contributes to the growth of an open, curious, and aware artistic community, where every encounter becomes a moment of exchange, sharing, and inspiration, and music is experienced as a collective journey.
Seraphino's long-term goal is the creation of an International Academy of Classical Music in Cortona, active year-round and able to stand alongside Europe's most prestigious institutions.
Even today, Seraphino shares artists, students, and a cultural vision with these international realities, striving to make Cortona a leading hub in Italy and Europe for musical excellence, cultural innovation, and the development of young talent.
Born in Buenos Aires, the five year-old Alberto began his violin studies with his father, and continued soon after with the celebrated teacher Ljerko Spiller. At seventeen years of age, after having won important national prizes, he headed for Europe. In 1955 he was a prize winner at the International Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels - the first time an Argentinean artist received that honor. On that occasion he met Yehudi Menuhin, a member of the jury together with David Oistrakh, Zino Francescatti and other famous violinists. Menuhin later became his teacher and mentor, and generously exposed him to the world stage.
Alberto Lysy participated in important European festivals together with musicians such as Benjamín Britten, Peter Pears, Pablo Casals, Gaspar Cassadó, Yehudi Menuhin and Nadia Boulanger. As a soloist he played under the direction of Pierre Boulez, Colin Davis, Sir Adrian Boult and Igor Markevitch, and with orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, National Symphony of Washington, the London Symphony and Philharmonic Orchestras, to name but a few.
Whilst carrying out his performing career, Alberto Lysy initiated important pedagogical activities as Director of the International Menuhin Music Academy in Gstaad (Switzerland), and founded programs such as the Festival Delle Nazioni in Città di Castello, the International Festival Pontino in the Castello di Sermoneta, in Italy, the Recontres Musicales also in Switzerland and the Festival Lysy in Argentina. In 1971 Lysy created and directed the Camerata Lysy with which he achieved some of his greatest successes. His concerts and recordings with them have delighted audiences throughout the world.
His many successful students are a testament to his strong musical and personal influence and can be found in diverse countries performing and teaching to great critical acclaim.
Alberto Lysy died in Lausanne on December 30th, 2009.
