THE FOUR CONSERVATORIES OF NAPLES

In the 16th century Naples became the first city to establish conservatories to house and train orphan boys.
The word "conservatory" came from "conservatorio" which was meant to "conserve" or save the children.
The teaching methods developed in these Neapolitan institutions were copied all over Europe, and eventually the world, therefore the "conservatory" came to represent an institution specialized in teaching music.