Our Team

Filippo Gorini

A pianist acclaimed in venues such as Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, New York Carnegie Hall, the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, and London Wigmore Hall. Sonata for 7 Cities is his love letter to music and humanity. Filippo has a keen entrepreneurial mindset, and before founding Sonata for 7 Cities, he created “The Art of Fugue Explored”, a documentary on Bach’s music personalities such as Peter Sellars, Frank Gehry, Sasha Waltz, and many more. He can be easily bought with chocolate, and is somehow always the one getting teased in all his friend groups.

Simone Rugani

In love with the piano since his childhood in Tuscany, he is a devoted chamber musician and has performed multiple times in the United States, Europe, and in Italy’s most prestigious chamber music seasons alongside Daniele Sabatini, Kevin Spagnolo, Simon Zhu, Tommaso Lonquich, Erica Piccotti, and others. He holds a degree in mathematics, a strange obsession with trains, and makes a Carbonara that is to-die-for. Driven by the desire to pass on his profound passion for music to future generations, he brings to Sonata for 7 Cities his creativity and warmth.

Firmina Adorno

A professional journalist who graduated in piano and earned a degree in Business Administration and Management from the "Luigi Bocconi" University in Milan. She specialises in performances that blend theatre and contemporary music, and works with Skill&Music, handling press, communication and social media for the likes of the Arena di Verona Opera Festival, the unveiling of Luciano Pavarotti's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, many artists, and this foundation. Her toddler, Roberto, is her number 1 fan!

Francesco Parolo

As a music producer, he’s in charge of crafting all audio/video productions for Sonata for 7 Cities. Like his Honda Africa Twin, he was born in 1996, in Strasbourg, then raised in Vercelli, and civilised in the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris, CMU Pittsburgh, and the University of Milan. He holds degrees in both piano and computer science applied to music. His dreams have become a profession, and encompass travel, music and refined sound productions. He jokes about anything, anyone, anywhere, anytime. Be careful.

Vera Tardiani

Artist manager, she represents outstanding soloists and ensembles from the Italian and international music scene, supporting them in a shared journey of growth and development. She helps Sonata for 7 Cities in collaborations with Italian concert institutions. After obtaining a degree in law, she has worked for many years as part of the team at Società del Quartetto di Milano. Music—and opera in particular, which she loves since childhood—is her greatest passion, alongside traveling and taking long walks immersed in forests and mountains.

Beatrice Sironi

A chartered accountant and auditor, partner of Studio Associato Sironi, she graduated with honors from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Milan in Economics and Management of Cultural Heritage and Entertainment, focusing on non-profit organizations and the cultural sector. She subsequently obtained a master's degree in Business Economics and Company Law. When she is not in her office keeping our financials in check, you can always find her performing flamenco, which she studied for years in Spain and Italy.

Anna Spoto

Music director at the Iblean Mozart Association in the gorgeous Sicilian town of Modica, at the Southernmost tip in Europe, every artist she has ever hosted has met such kindness that they keep returning every year. Running with equal idealism her concert season and jewellery shop, she teaches the rest of us how to integrate music performances in a community, and that sometimes stopping for a coffee with a cannolo is a good idea, even better if her Dachsund “Franz” tags along!

Elisabetta Formenton

Originally from Milan, but with a mother from Hong Kong, she is currently pursuing a double major in Economics and History at Yale University. Next year she will begin working in the financial services industry in New York City. Music has always played a major role in her life, having trained as a pianist under Maria Grazia Bellocchio and Wei-Yi Yang. She loves traveling and skiing, is as understated as she is smart, and will never turn down an invitation to a party. Her international, business-oriented mindset is incredibly precious to this foundation.