We take the Venetian foundling home as our historical guide, artistically and socially. l’Ospedale della Pietà (Venice’s “Mercy Hospital”) was home to the city’s orphaned and abandoned girl children, who were given an honored place in civic life through an arts program that may be unrivaled even today. Antonio Vivaldi, who taught and composed at the Pietà in the 18th century, wrote many of his most beloved compositions for this orchestra of girls and women, who achieved a level of virtuosity and elegance that has rarely been equaled. The foundling hospital musicians played and sang throughout Venice, becoming the premier musical ensemble in a supremely musical city. Their musical work supported the orphanage and attracted the attention and acclaim of all of Europe.

Our hope is that Foundling, too, will achieve significant artistic stature while working to foster public awareness, private and corporate generosity, and civic responsibility and pride.