Apulia Antiqua – Organ Counterpoints

A journey through early music in the churches of Puglia

Apulia Antiqua is a travelling festival dedicated to early and Baroque music. Under the artistic direction of Giovanni Rota, it traverses the most fascinating corners of Puglia: centuries-old churches, timeless cloisters, and ancient towers overlooking the sea. Born in Monopoli and promoted by the Orfeo Futuro ensemble, the festival blends philological rigour with a passion for outreach, bringing historical instruments and repertoires from the Renaissance to the Baroque back to life.

«Organ Counterpoints»: the 2026 spring series

In 2026, Apulia Antiqua renews its format with a new section entirely dedicated to the organ, titled «Organ Counterpoints». From March 14 to April 26, six free-entry concerts will visit some of the most beautiful churches in the province of Bari and beyond, including Fasano, Monopoli, and Conversano. The common thread is the ambitious project of performing the complete organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach, fittingly launched around March 21, the composer's birthday and European Early Music Day.

The Conversano stop at the Church of Purgatory

The 2026 calendar features one of its most anticipated events in Conversano: on March 27, at the Church of Purgatory, organist Carlo Maria Barile returns to the keyboards for the second stage of the Bach cycle. The concert is held on the historical 1791 organ, built by Nicola De Simone Jr., an instrument that faithfully reproduces the sonic colours of the era. Through fugues, chorales, canons, and fantasias, Barile constructs a journey where research, philological fidelity, and expressive freedom merge into an immersive listening experience.

A programme in dialogue with Europe

The series is not limited to the solo organ: the instrumental repertoire engages with the great European vocal tradition and rare instruments. Guests for 2026 include prominent organists such as Luca Scandali, Francesco Di Lernia, and Domenico Tagliente, the Jesus College Choir of Cambridge, and solo vocalists, in an interplay of spirituality, virtuosity, and music history that spans the centuries.

Why it's worth attending

• Free admission to all concerts.
• Exceptional settings: historical churches and period instruments of Puglia.
• A historical 1791 organ returned to the public in the setting of the Church of Purgatory in Conversano.
• A cultural project supported by the municipal administration of Monopoli and the Ministry of Culture.

Whether you are an early music enthusiast or simply curious to discover often-hidden heritage, Apulia Antiqua is a precious opportunity to experience the most authentic side of Puglia through sound.