Cantico Festival

A festival blending art and spirituality in the heart of Sabina

The Cantico Festival is an event dedicated to theatre, music, and dance held every July in the municipality of Casperia, a delightful medieval village in the Sabina area, in the province of Rieti, Lazio. Conceived and curated by actress, director, and choreographer Anna Redi, the festival transforms the town's squares, churches, and alleyways into natural stages, inviting the audience to a deeper level of listening and inner exploration.

A theme intertwining nature, ecology, and inner research

Since its inception, Cantico has been defined by a sustainable approach to performance: many shows utilize natural daylight and the inherent acoustics of the village spaces, avoiding electric lighting and amplification whenever possible. The festival reflects on contemporary society's relationship with nature and the sacred, the education of beauty, respect for local heritage, and the appreciation of cultural sites as a common good. The themes of spirituality and ecology run through the entire program, featuring experimental theatre, sacred music, contemporary dance, and moments of meditation.

Artists and companies

Each edition hosts artists from across Italy and abroad. Recurring protagonists include the international company Accademia dell'Incompiuto, led by Mario Biagini—a long-time collaborator of Jerzy Grotowski—who has partnered with the festival for several consecutive years. Over the years, Cantico has featured performers and choreographers such as Luna Cenere, Ilaria Drago, Denis Campitelli, and numerous live music ensembles.

Two villages, one journey

Starting in 2026, the festival expands its route beyond Casperia to include the nearby municipality of Cantalupo in Sabina. The three-day event is spread across both towns, with performances in parks, churches, and historic squares. This itinerant format strengthens the bond between the festival and the Sabina territory, offering the public an experience that unites art, landscape, and community.

A project supported by the local area

Born from crowdfunding and having grown over the years, Cantico is now supported by ATCL - Associazione Teatrale fra i Comuni del Lazio, the host municipalities of Casperia and Cantalupo in Sabina, and the Fondazione Varrone. Admission to all performances is free, confirming the festival's commitment to bringing high-quality culture to an inland area of Lazio, far from the major circuits but rich in identity and beauty.