The Marchesi Code: How a new generation envisions shaping its legacy in the XXI century.

Accademia Gualtiero Marchesi

On April 29th, Guglielmo and Bartolomeo – the grandsons of the legendary Gualtiero Marchesi and the Fondazione's new artistic co-directors – hosted an intimate salon for 25 young artists and professionals from various disciplines and walks of life at the Accademia Gualtiero Marchesi, which had been transformed into an event space for the evening. "Our grandfather adored musicians. That's part of the reason he opened a restaurant at La Scala—he wanted to be surrounded by them, sharing meals and ideas right after the last curtain call. For him, art and the kitchen were inseparable—like family, they were the essential reminders of personal warmth, connection, and creative energy," recalls Guglielmo.

"We hoped to evoke the essence of that spirit at this outreach event in April because, as my grandfather always said,' Setting an example is the highest form of teaching,'" he notes, reflecting on these guiding principles as their understanding of inspirational leadership.

The gathering was rooted in the warmth of familial ties, with a shared purpose of uniting diverse talents around a common mission: fostering an environment of openness, generosity, and mutual encouragement. As part of the program, the group participated in a cooking masterclass, followed by a convivial dinner that evolved into an immersive celebration of creativity. The evening featured poetry, live music, singing, and theatrical improvisations by the guests, transforming the occasion into a vivid expression of the spirit shaping the future of the Fondazione Gualtiero Marchesi (FGM).

With a mission to support the next generation of creatives and foster international artistic exchange, the Fondazione has recently forged new alliances by joining the Global Impact Circle. Headquartered in New York, the Global Impact Circle enables each partner foundation to tap into its wider international network of industry-leading professionals, artists, and educators.

With its entrepreneurial legacy and strong roots in the local community, FGM—now led by the next generation—emerged as an ideal partner for cultivating that aspirational impact. FGM began by forging partnerships within the hospitality sector, addressing one of the most persistent logistical challenges artists face: accommodation and travel arrangements. By alleviating these practical burdens, the Foundation enables artists to devote themselves entirely to their creative endeavors.

In conversation with Bartolomeo, he recalls: “Growing up, I spent a lot of time in close proximity to my grandfather—a man of great presence and charisma. I assisted him extensively, creating photo presentations of his signature dishes and producing videos for his interviews. In his kitchen, he became a true mentor, and the biggest takeaway was learning how to tell a story. He always knew how to deliver a message and make his listeners feel as passionate as he was about his vision, which was the essence of everything he did.”

Long before Guglielmo and Eugenia moved back to Italy with their young daughter, Dora, while they were still based in Germany, they met Mark Prihodko, a gifted cellist with an extraordinary entrepreneurial vision. "Mark, who later became a co-founder of the Global Impact Circle, immediately became an essential part of our close-knit family," recalls Guglielmo. " his enthusiasm for collaborative efforts to scale the success of each Foundation and the artists they support—reminiscent of our grandfather's grand gestures—truly reignited my brother's and my passion for taking over the reins of the Fondazione's work," adds Bartolomeo. 

Eugenia is confident that this newly shared leadership will become a powerful resource for emerging artists, equipping them with tools to better navigate market realities and develop the self-management skills she had to learn the hard way. “People are increasingly aware that art shapes their lives in many profound ways, and Gualtieri Marchesi certainly understood that," says Guglielmo. "I remember one of our last family lunches, just before he passed away on the final day of Christmas in 2017. We were all gathered in the kitchen, talking about music.” And Eugenia adds: "I wanted to return home with the experiences I gained abroad—as a performing musician, as a member of our string ensemble, and as a mother. My dream is to help raise a new generation of young people who value the arts because that's what makes humanity work. It worries me that governments often cut arts funding before reducing other areas of the budget. I want to contribute to a stable future for the arts and help create a reliable ecosystem for the next generation of talent—and for their audiences. I firmly believe the Global Impact Circle will broaden the reach of each co-collaborator's programs and inspire new ways of working together as a synergetic organism." Above all, Eugenia and the Dandolo Marchesi brothers believe, just like their role model, in leading by example, as parents and as the aspirational musicians they are, with

Mark Prihodko (photo: left behind Bartholomeo in back) and the Marchesi Clan

every fiber of their being.

“Ultimately, it's all about people," says Mark Prihodko, who first forged a relationship with the musicians of the quartet—one that has since grown into something much larger. As the artistic director of the Althafen Foundation and through the Global Impact Circle, he is dedicated to empowering young people, promoting community engagement, and cultivating a more vibrant and collaborative environment through innovative ideas. "We all need mentors to help us navigate challenges, and a strong support network is essential in a society as fragmented as ours. It truly takes a village."