The Valtellina Wind Orchestra was formed in 1991 in response to the need to provide the Province of Sondrio with a high-quality ensemble that would represent a focal point for the many instrumentalists, graduates, Conservatory students and skilled amateurs of the bands of the district who were interested in developing a repertoire for wind ensemble. In the space of few years it proved capable of performing at international level. As well as its numerous concerts in the province of Sondrio, where it was the first time that a “band” had been included in seasons that had always been restricted to classical music and jazz, it has also performed in six European countries (France, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Holland and Italy) and won important prizes in international competitions: Strasbourg 1992, Kerkrade 1993 and 2005, Valencia 1994, Riva del Garda 1995.

The ensemble can also boast important co-operation with outstanding international symphonic orchestras, like the Volgograd Philarmonic Orchestra, the New Philarmonic Orchestra of the Ukraine, the Moldavia National Philarmonic, as well as appearances at important festivals. The OFV has a vast repertoire (120 pieces) including not only transcriptions of opera and classical pieces, but also a significant number of original compositions for wind instruments – a field in which it is seen as a leader in Italy. The OFV has given numerous première perfomances of important works for band: in March 1996 the complete “Missa Solemnis” by Serge Lancen for soloists, chorus and wind orchestra (in the presence of the composer); in 1999 the re-edition of original pieces of the French Revolution (Cherubini, Catel, Gossec), edited by its director Della Fonte, and many other still. The influential review “I Fiati” of Rome has frequently dedicated articles and interviews to the Orchestra. Thanks to the help of the Association “’Amici della Musica” of Sondalo, the Orchestra has been able to male its first CD recordings: these two discs, issued from Agorà, attest the high qualitative level of a group that has succeeded in growing and managing itself in the difficult musical context of a mountain area. The most important classical music magazines in Italy (CD Classica, The Classic Voice) reviewed the discs with enthusiastic remarks. This is also the first time in Italy for a wind orchestra in the classical music magazine’s world. A third CD was released in 2001, containing works by Stephen Melillo, a fourth in 2002, live from the WASBE concert in Luzern 2001, the fifth was released for the netherlander label “Mirasound”, with G. Cassone and C. Colliard as guest soloists. In 1997 the Orchestra gave the first italian performance of the “Symphonie Funebre et Triomphale” from Berlioz. In July 2001, the Orchestra represented Italy at the Wasbe Conference in Luzern. In January-February 2002, the Orchestra gave 3 concerts in the most important Theater in Milan for the symphonic music: Teatro Dal Verme, in cooperation with the well-knowed “Società del Quartetto”. In 2003, the OFV performed at Salzburg and at the Schladming “Mid-Europe” Festival, in 2004 the Missa n. 2 from Bruckner, in 2005 was awarded with gold medal at the WMC Kerkrade (The Netherlands). At this very moment the president is Ivana Zecca.