Anyone who grew up in Italy between the 1970s and the 1990s is very likely to have found, at least once, a colourful keyboard, an organ or a guitar bearing the Bontempi logo under the Christmas tree. Behind those gifts, which were a part of thousands of children’s childhoods, lies the story of a company from the Marche region – a pioneer in Italy’s toy musical instrument industry and a concrete example of ‘Made in Italy’ creativity.
From the accordion to industrial production
The history of Bontempi began in a region with deep-rooted ties to the tradition of musical instruments: the Marche district between Recanati, Osimo and Castelfidardo. In 1937, Egisto Bontempi set up a small artisan workshop in Potenza Picena (MC), specialising in the manufacture of accordions.
Paolo Bontempi’s turning point
The real transformation came with Paolo Bontempi, Egisto’s son. An electronics engineer and visionary entrepreneur, he realised that music could become an educational tool for children. So he began producing keyboards, pianos, organs, guitars and wind instruments… in toy form. Colourful, plastic instruments, accessible to everyone, which have enchanted entire generations and brought music into the homes of millions of Italians.
Under Paolo’s leadership, which always focused on technology and innovation, Bontempi grew to become a brand recognised even outside Italy, with factories in the Marche and Abruzzo regions, across Europe and in North America, and partnerships with Disney, Warner Bros and Mattel, demonstrating how ‘Made in Italy’ could also speak the language of play, school and learning.
The iconic instruments
Among the company’s most famous products are the Chord Organs, keyboard instruments in which sound was generated by air forced through metal reeds by an internal motor. Over time, these were joined by electronic keyboards, pianolas, wind instruments, guitars and violins, drum kits and percussion instruments, all designed to make it easier to get started with music.
The so-called ‘Bontempi method’, characterised by colours, symbols and simplicity, helped children to recognise notes and play simple melodies without having to tackle the complexities of music theory straight away. In this way, play also became a learning experience.
The crisis and the brand’s revival
Like many ‘Made in Italy’ manufacturing companies, Bontempi has also gone through difficult times. In 2014, the company entered into liquidation, which led to a major reorganisation and a new lease of life. Today, the Bontempi brand lives on through iCOM S.p.A., which continues to produce and distribute, keeping alive a tradition that began almost ninety years ago.
Farewell to Paolo Bontempi
Paolo Bontempi passed away in 2025 at the age of 93. In 2023, he was awarded the Mugellini Prize for Music in recognition of his greatest insight: his ability to recognise the educational value of music and to make it accessible to young children through simple, colourful and intuitive instruments.
A legacy that lives on
Even today, Bontempi represents much more than just a manufacturer of musical toys. For millions of people, it evokes memories of their first sheet music, the first tune they ever played, and the discovery of the joy of making music. It is also a prime example of ‘Made in Italy’: a brand that began as a small artisan workshop, grew through innovation, and has left its mark on popular culture.
The company has helped to promote music education around the world, demonstrating how play can become an extraordinary tool for learning. This is Bontempi’s true legacy: transforming children’s curiosity into a passion for music, guiding generations of young musicians as they take their first steps amongst keys, notes and chords.
Discover other outstanding companies from Marche.