3702 Tickle the old ivories in Castelfidardo

Castelfidardo has become not only the main Italian production of accordians but worldwide is considered to provide the best examples of this popular instrument.

The historic battle in Castelfidardo in 1860, where the Papal army was defeated by the French influenced Piedmontese troops, played an important part in the Unification of Italy.
Although strong nationalistic identity was evident, many new trends and cultures were to influence the local people.
It is thought that the concertina and early accordians were probably introduced to the Castelfidarese by the French troops and adapted to suit Italian taste and style.

After the unification, a new love of life led to the accordian with its popular sound, ease of transportation and use becoming a great means of expressing joy and entertainment without the high costs of other forms of musical entertainment.

In the early 1860's, Paolo Soprani, a farmhand from Castelfidardo started the first industrial production of accordians and what was to later become an empire.

Names such as Crucianelli, Janni, Ficosecco and Chiusaroli started producing examples of this instrument and many of the families or decendants of them are still producing fine examples today.

So astonishing was the rise of this new popular instrument that the great Giuseppe Verdi wanted to include the study of the accordian in his new reform of Italian music conservatories in the 1870's.

Accordian production really took off at the end of the 19th century, and many families set up and operated from home producing some astonishing accordians which were to claim fame on a worldwide scale and put Castelfidardo firmly on the map as the principle production area.

Italian emigrants were to further popularize the accordian which they took with them on their overseas ventures.

A drop in popularity came with the wall street crash and when buying musical instruments was no longer an option.
The fascist regime was to play an important role in its revival when in 1941 Mussolini ordered the production of 1000 accordians to be given to the troops who were fighting in the 2nd world war.
This propoganda of an Italian invention led to a rebirth of its popularity and sense of the Italian spirit.

After the war, production rose and between 1946 and 1948, 19 new companies were set up in Castelfidardo to supply some light relief to people seeking to forget the hard times recently suffered.

Export sales increased from 57,523 in 1947 to 192,058 in 1953 and the small Marche town gave work to over 10,000 people in the making of musical instruments.

A change in musical style during the 1960's saw a decline in the accordian however companies such as Farfisa, and the production of electric keyboards and guitars meant that the industry was able to continue to thrive.

Today there is still a large demand for custom built high quality instruments and accordianists worldwide continue to visit Castelfidardo when they want a new instrument or simply to visit the Museum in the main square where over 360 examples will guide you through the story of the accordian and Castelfidardo.

Many International events are held in the town with October hosting the Premio Internazionale Citta di Castelfidardo when thousand sof people come from all over the world to compete for this prestigious award.

So from Rossini to the accordian, Le Marche has played its part in the history of music.