If you happen to be in the Bologna area any time up to 11 October, you may like to pay a visit to the International Museum and Library of Music – Museo Internazionale e Biblioteca della Musica – there.
The amazing photos of Swedish photographer Torleif Svensson, taken on Queen’s ‘Magic’ tour, are displayed on its fortieth anniversary in enlarged magnificence on the ground floor. As if that were not enough, you just need to venture upstairs to view some of them, together with other Queen-related memorabilia, integrated (for the duration of the exhibition only) into the museum’s permanent exhibition of classical music!
In collaboration with collector Pascal Casadei van Raamsdonk, the exhibition is curated to contextualise Queen within the history of music, making specific links to the classical genre: a few of Torleif’s photos draw comparisons with visual depictions, among other aspects, of the earlier classical era; Queen-related musical instruments, as well as some items that belonged to Freddie, are juxtaposed with connected treasures from classical music history.
Particularly pertinent are displays linking attire of Freddie’s to articles that belonged to local composer Rossini, who fled Bologna at a time of political turmoil (reminding me of Freddie’s escape from Zanzibar in his youth); and Queen’s gold disc for ‘We Are the Champions’ to the Gold Spur awarded to Mozart. Both these classical composers wrote operas featuring the fictional comic character Figaro: ‘The Barber of Seville’ and ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ respectively, Freddie later also referencing him in the opera section of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.
A QR code is attached to each exhibit, linking the visitor to a relevant explanation available in English. Well worth a visit if you can make it!
‘Queen – The Last Tour’ runs at the Museo Internazionale e Biblioteca della Musica, Strada Maggiore 34, Bologna, until 11 October 2026. Check website (link below) for opening times (closed Mondays).
Alison Sesi, 7 th August 2026
Torleif Svensson:
Instagram: @torleif.svensson.photography / #artvox
Website: www.artvox.se
Pascal Casadei van Raamsdonk:
Instagram: @apieceofhisown / #apieceofhisown
Website: www.apieceofhisown.com
Museo Internazionale e Biblioteca della Musica:
Instagram: @museomusica
Website: www.museibologna.it/music