The Milan Conservatory, or the Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi, is a famous music school in Milan whose alumni include Giacomo Puccini, Giovanni Bottesini, Vittorio Giannini, Francisco Mignone, Italo Montemezzi, Alceo Galliera, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Maurizio Pollini, and Claudio Abbado. A music school or conservatoire (British English) — also known as a conservatory (American English) or a conservatorium (Australian English) — is an institution dedicated to teaching the art of music, including the playing of musical instruments, musical composition, musicianship, music history, and music theory. ... Milan (Italian: ; Lombard: Milán (listen)) is one of the biggest cities in Italy, located in the plains of Lombardy. ... Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini (December 22, 1858 – November 29, 1924) was an Italian composer whose operas, including La bohème, Tosca, and Madama Butterfly, are among the most frequently performed in the standard repertoire. ... Giovanni Bottesini. ... Vittorio Giannini (October 19, 1903 – November 28, 1966) was an neoromantic American composer of operas, songs, symphonies, and band works. ... Francisco Paulo Mignone (September 3, 1897–February 2, 1986) is one of the most significant figures in Brazilian classical music, and one of the most significant Brazilian composers after Heitor Villa-Lobos. ... Italo Montemezzi (May 31, 1875-May 15, 1952) was an Italian composer. ... Alceo Galliera (1910-1996) was a distinguished Italian conductor. ... Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (January 5, 1920 – June 12, 1995) was an Italian classical pianist. ... Maurizio Pollini Maurizio Pollini (born January 5, 1942) is an Italian classical pianist. ... Claudio Abbado (born June 26, 1933) is a noted Italian conductor. ...