Alta Pusteria International Choir Festival

A choral festival at the foot of the Dolomites

The Alta Pusteria International Choir Festival is one of the most prestigious choral gatherings in the entire European Alpine region. Established in 1998, this non-competitive event takes place every June in the heart of Alta Pusteria (Hochpustertal), the valley stretching at the foot of the Dolomites along the border between Italy and Austria. The Municipality of Monguelfo-Tesido/Welsberg-Taisten, in the Province of Bolzano (Trentino-Alto Adige), is one of the key locations hosting the concerts: choral voices resonate primarily in the Paul Troger Culture House (Paul Troger Kulturhaus) and the town's sacred buildings, which serve as a gateway to the scenic Val Casies.

Choirs from all over the world

The festival attracts choirs from dozens of countries: in over twenty-five editions, it has hosted more than 1,400 choral groups from over 50 nations. Each edition brings together thousands of singers who perform in numerous locations throughout the valley, fostering a dialogue between diverse musical traditions. It is not a competition, but a grand, festive gathering: each choir presents its own repertoire freely, without rankings or juries.

Genres and venues

The overall program includes around sixty events, including formal concerts, open-air reviews, and meeting days. The proposed repertoires span numerous styles:

• Sacred choral music and polyphonic singing
• Folk and alpine music
• Opera and spiritual music
• Gospel, jazz, and original compositions

Concerts are held in a wide variety of settings: churches and concert halls, as well as lakeside shores, medieval castles, bandstands, and high-altitude mountain huts. In Monguelfo, performances animate the Paul Troger Culture House, named after the famous Baroque painter born in the village, and the parish church, offering the public the chance to enjoy choral music in an intimate and evocative setting.

A free-admission event

One of the festival's hallmarks is its accessibility: all performances are free of charge. Residents, hikers, and tourists can simply stop and listen, without a ticket, discovering choirs in the valley's halls and churches. This format has made the festival a beloved appointment for both choral music enthusiasts and visitors to Alta Pusteria.

Monguelfo-Tesido and Val Casies

Monguelfo-Tesido/Welsberg-Taisten is a resort town in the Puster Valley, dominated by castle ruins and serving as the gateway to the lush Val Casies. Hosting the festival's voices in this natural setting makes the experience particularly evocative, blending Central European musical tradition with the alpine landscape of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites.