In 1918 Antoncich began hosting weekly concerts at his home. These rapidly became a fixture for many of the local European immigrants who had an appetite for hearing classical music. These were the days before recording devices and so live music was the only way of experiencing music.

“In time, Antoncich’s Monday recitals would attract internationally-renowned stars – who often came to get an opportunity to play the exceptional collection of instruments he had put together. Guest musicians included the pianist María Dvorak, daughter of the composer, Claudio Arrau, Willy Burmester and many chamber ensembles including the London String Quartet. These instruments, some of the finest being crafted in Europe at the time, were bought during frequent trips to London in the 20s and 30s.“Soon Antonich’s home became the unofficial concert hall of Valparaíso and, with very few exceptions, put on live concerts every Monday evening between 1918 and 1937.”

“Soon Antonich’s home became the unofficial concert hall of Valparaíso and, with very few exceptions, put on live concerts every Monday evening between 1918 and 1937.” – Jason Price, Antonio Antoncich, Tarisio.com

In time, Antoncich’s Monday recitals would attract internationally-renowned stars – who often came to get an opportunity to play the exceptional collection of instruments he had put together. These instruments, some of the finest being crafted in Europe at the time, were bought during frequent trips to London in the 20s and 30s.

The recitals and Antoncich’s role as a patron of music in the city began attracting attention from local civic leaders and from the press:

“Many music-loving people would go to walk in the street, in front of the living room windows to listen. The street of Miramar, with a steep slope, made it possible to hear from the windows that opened for the occasion, so that it could be heard from outside and at the same time to avoid the confinement of the room. Numerous German and foreign neighbors came with their shawls, and they had their favorite places.  The silence of the hill, which continues to this day, was even greater then, barely disturbed by the slow tread of the horses on the stone pavement.” – El Mercurio,Valparaiso (Monday, January 31) 1927

The recitals at Miramar continued for 20 years from 1918-1937. Antoncich kept meticulous accounts of the instruments he bought and the recitals performed at the house and which musicians were in attendance. Among those who visited to play at Miramar during that time were the pianist Maria Dvorak, the niece of the Czech composer, famed musicians Claudio Arrau and Willy Burmester, and many chamber ensembles. On June 27, 1926, Antoncich hosted the London String Quartet who were touring South America.

He was devoted to his music, his recitals and his instruments. In time, and as he aged, this vast and coveted collection of instruments was something of a burden for Antoncich.

“When he came home from work he would go up to the room with the violins, take them out one by one, and place them in order on the bed. He would open the box, take out the instruments, and look at them for a while. He cleaned it with suede leather.  And immediately he would tune it and put it away and continue with the other.” – José Pérez de Arce, “Don Antonio Antoncich, musical philanthropist. Valparaíso c. 1920,” Resonances, no. 23 (November 2008)