About
Donizetti's birthplace, now a national monument, is located in Borgo Canale in Bergamo.
At that time, the area was characterized by run-down and impoverished buildings. The composer's family resided in the basement of their current ground-floor visitable residence, accessed by a narrow staircase. The living space consisted of two spartan rooms serving as a kitchen and bedroom, as well as additional rooms for a well and icehouse. Donizetti's fate seemed predetermined: he spent his life weaving musical notes into immortal compositions, much like his parents weaved fabrics. His parents were tailors belonging to the humble segment of society who worked for wealthy palace owners in the Upper Town. Despite his modest beginnings, Donizetti rose to global fame and brought prestige to his city. Through the Impronte sonore project, one can now experience a day in the life of Donizetti's family through an immersive multimedia journey that evokes typical 18th-century living in Bergamo – an astonishing experience indeed.
