Adventskonzert – Stiftschor Neustift «Musical Treasures from the Monastery Archive»

An Advent concert in the Novacella Basilica

The Stiftschor Neustift Advent concert is one of the most evocative musical highlights of the South Tyrolean Advent. It takes place in the Stiftskirche Neustift, the majestic collegiate church of the Novacella Abbey (Kloster Neustift), in the municipality of Varna/Vahrn, in the Province of Bolzano, the heart of the Isarco Valley and the Trentino-Alto Adige region. Set against a backdrop of rare Baroque architectural beauty, the choir guides the audience toward Christmas with an intense and intimate program.

«Musical treasures from the monastery archive»

The central theme of the concert is the recovery of the musical heritage preserved in the Klosterarchiv, the archive of the Augustinian abbey founded in 1142. The Stiftschor performs sacred works by ancient Neustift composers, rediscovered among the scores kept in the convent, bringing forgotten pages of music back to the public. This archival repertoire is complemented by traditional Alpine melodies, creating a dialogue between classical music and the folk singing typical of the South Tyrolean area.

The performers

Alongside the Stiftschor Neustift, local instrumental ensembles perform to enrich the evening:

• the Flügelhorntrio DOWI, a trio of young brass musicians (flugelhorns);
• the Geigenmusik MARGRONDA from the Venosta Valley (Vinschgau), bringing the warm timbre of strings and Alpine melodies;
• conducted by maestro Gernot Niederfriniger.

Together, they create a concert of great atmosphere, designed to bring the community and visitors together in a moment of peace and spirituality at the start of Advent.

Tradition and community

The Stiftschor Neustift is a choir deeply rooted in the life of the village of Neustift/Novacella and regularly collaborates with the Männerchor Neustift and other local choral groups. The Advent concert is an annual event with free admission, highly valued by the residents of Varna and the many visitors who frequent the abbey during the Christmas period, amidst the markets and festivities of South Tyrol.

Why attend

Attending the Adventskonzert in the Stiftskirche of Novacella means experiencing Advent in one of the most iconic locations in the Isarco Valley: the abbey basilica, the sacred choral singing, and the Alpine melodies create an experience that unites music, historical-religious heritage, and South Tyrolean identity.