The Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in a musical academy and symphonic organization based in Rome, Italy. Founded in 1585 by Pope Sixtus V under the invocation of Saint Gregory and Saint Cecilia. An academy is an institution for the study of higher learning. ... A symphony is an extended piece of music usually for orchestra and comprising several movements. ... Sixtus V, born Felice Peretti (December 13, 1521 -– August 27, 1590) was pope from 1585 to 1590. ... Pope Saint Gregory I or Gregory the Great (ca. ... Saint Cecilia Saint Cecilia in the Catholic Church the patron saint of music and of the blind. ...