History

History

The period of greatest danger to the collection occurred during the years after World War I. Even as Cremona was gearing up to celebrate the centenary of Ponchielli's birth with lectures, concerts, and a new biography, officials were circulating letters questioning the value of maintaining the library that the band had acquired. There was literally no home for the music. When Licia Sirch began her researches for the thematic catalog, she was surprised when Dr. Andrea Mosconi of the Museo civico told her that he had seen some scores in the museum's collection. This was where an enterprising soul had sequestered the majority of the music to preserve it.