But it was as a patron of music that Ferdinando was most distinguished. He owned the Villa di Pratolino, located some outside Florence, (now called the Villa Demidov after a later owner, Anatoly Nikolaievich Demidov, 1st Prince of San Donato) which was home to many musical activities. From the years 1679 to 1710, there were annual operatic productions there, generally held in September. At first these were held in the grand salon, but starting in 1696 in a new theatre built on the third floor at Ferdinando's instigation, designed by Antonio Maria Ferri. Until 1686, the performances were supervised by Ferdinando's uncle Francesco Maria de' Medici; after that year (when Francesco Maria became a cardinal) they were Ferdinando's responsibility.