2 October 2009: - The Stradivariuses of the Nippon Music Foundation, one of the most important collections of stringed instruments in the world, will be made available on Saturday 7 November 2009 to Florence's Teatro del Maggio Musicale for an extraordinary fundraising concert held at Galleria dell'Accademia, in front of Michelangelo's David.

Paired with a stay at Four Seasons Hotel Florence, this singular event (the only one of its kind in Italy) will attract the attention of music lovers and culturalists alike. For this occasion, the Nippon Music Foundation Stradivariuses will be augmented by one of the few surviving Stradivarius violas, the Archinto, kindly lent by the Royal Academy in London. (The total value of the instruments at this concert exceeds �20 million).

The concert, which is a fundraiser for Maggio Musicale's outreach programmes, will be followed by a gala dinner reception at Palazzo Tournabouni, a fifteenth century palazzo which once housed the influential Florentine Medici family and Pope Leo XI and also hosted the world's first documented opera. The proceeds from the concert will be used for educational outreach activities, such as special rehearsals and performances of the Maggio Musicale of Florence which is - along with Bayreuth and Salzburg - the oldest music festival in Europe. In celebration of this one off event, Four Seasons Hotel Florence, is offering three Stradivari packages. Enjoy the entire three-day programme from �1,915, or take in any one of the below packages.

6 November 2009 Price from �360 � One night�s accommodation for two people on a B&B basis � Exclusive entrance to the rehearsal of The Cunning Little Vixen � Round-trip transfers between the hotel and rehearsal site

7 November 2009 Price from �1145 � One night�s accommodation for two people on a B&B basis � Two VIP tickets to Encounter with Stradivari � Entrance to post-concert reception with the musicians at Palazzo Tournabuoni � Round-trip transfers between the hotel and performance site 8 November 2009 Price from �410 � One night�s accommodation for two people on a B&B basis � Two tickets to Maggio Musicale�s Opening Performance of The Cunning Little Vixen � Round-trip transfers between the hotel and performance site

http://www.fourseasons.com/florence/stradivari_2009/

For more information on Four Seasons Hotel Florence or to book visit www.fourseasons.com/florence or call 00800 6488 6488

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Notes to the editors:

Four Seasons Hotel Florence opened in June 2008 is a living museum of art history, set within the walled tranquility of Florence's largest private garden. The Hotel comprises two Renaissance palaces, whose previous residents include a Pope, an order of nuns, Italy's first railway company, five centuries of Florentine nobility and a Viceroy of Egypt (who sold it when his harem was barred from moving in). Today, the Hotel's colourful history unfolds through its ornately painted and crafted interiors, which have returned to their original beauty following seven years of painstaking restoration

Four Seasons is dedicated to perfecting the travel experience through continuous innovation and the highest standards of hospitality. From elegant surroundings of the finest quality, to caring, highly personalised 24-hour service, Four Seasons embodies a true home away from home for those who know and appreciate the best. The deeply instilled Four Seasons culture is personified in its employees � people who share a single focus and are inspired to offer great service. Founded in 1960, Four Seasons has followed a targeted course of expansion, opening hotels in major city centres and desirable resort destinations around the world. Currently with 81 hotels in 34 countries, and more than 31 properties under development, Four Seasons will continue to lead the hospitality industry with innovative enhancements, making business travel easier and leisure travel more rewarding.

Maggio Musicale, founded in 1933, is one of the oldest and most prestigious European music festivals, together with those of Bayreuth and Salzburg - as well as top-flight annual concert, opera and dance seasons. The name �Maggio' refers both to the month of the festival and to the Italian tradition of Calendimaggio or Cantar Maggio, the celebration of the arrival of spring. As well as the May festival, the Maggio Musicale offers a year-round programme of opera, classical music and ballet, making it the only one of its kind in Europe.

The Nippon Music Foundation (NMF) was established to help Japan take part in the development of our global musical resources. Since 1994, it has specifically aimed to promote musical exchange, both domestically and abroad, through contributions that enable people of different cultures to share in the enjoyment of each others' music. The foundation is the custodian for some of the world's top stringed instruments, including several made by Antonio Stradivarius and Guarneri del Gesu. It sponsors concerts around the world that showcase these instruments, provides music-related grants, builds networks and conducts research to foster the public�s interest in music.

For further details please contact:

UK Public Relations: Daisy Bird / Natalie Lewis / Alice J�nsd�ttir Ferrier Columbus PRCo Tel: 020 7259 1110 Email: ajferrier@prco.com