St. Cecilia Music Foundation was set up in 1838, with the name of Philharmonic Institute. After the drafting of the didactic policy (it was 1848, a period of strong revolutions) and besides many economic problems caused by the world war two, the institute carried on an intense artistic life, which gave to Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto benefits and prestige. The financial contribution given by Portogruaro citizens, who had always trusted in the cultural value of this Institute, allowed it to carry on its activities up to the present.

In 1983 Portogruaro Musical Summer started, an innovative formula, which consisted on the combination of many activities such as high musical improvers classes and production of concerts. Portogruaro Musical Summer had become a point of reference for musicians, teachers and students from all over the world. In 1994 the Institute, with the partnership of the Province of Venice and the Municipality of Portogruaro, had become St. Cecilia Music Foundation, ensuring the sustainability and repeatability of its various activities.

Today the Foundation works on various fronts: different Music School courses (ordinary, professional and open), winter classes of high advanced music (held by eminent teachers), choir and Youth Band Orchestra activities. More than a hundred are the concerts produced both in the city of Portogruaro and in the surrounding country, which includes Veneto, Friuli and goes up to river Po, and Carnia.

The most important initiatives are the Come on, that’s Music! and the Musical Summer Festival of Portogruaro. The first boasts about numerous cooperation with public and private institutions, tourist promotion companies and important Italian musical events. The Summer Festival, connected to the activities of Portogruaro Musical Summer, is the pride of the entire concert production and consists of more than 50 concerts taking place in the last two weeks of August. It is getting an increasing success: more than 10.000 were the presences registered in the last edition including the most prestigious music performers in the world.

There is another activity connected to the Musical Summer: the International Masterclass with 450 students, 30 classes and more than 40 teachers in the 2007 edition.