Concert of Peace

A concert to start the year in the spirit of peace

The Concert of Peace is the event with which Ospedaletto d'Alpinolo, a small town in the Province of Avellino, Campania, kicks off its annual calendar of religious and cultural celebrations. It takes place on January 6th, the day of Epiphany, when the Christmas lights are still glowing and the Irpinian village returns to its most intimate atmosphere.

This is not a massive event for thousands of spectators; rather, it is a community moment where music is presented as a language capable of speaking of unity and solidarity—the very values that give the evening its name. Visitors will find an authentic atmosphere, far from the beaten tourist tracks, and a village that gathers around its mother church in the heart of winter.

The Church of Santi Filippo e Giacomo, the setting for the evening

The concert is held in the parish church of Santi Filippo e Giacomo, a 16th-century building overlooking the heart of the village and dedicated to the two patron saints, celebrated on May 3rd. Next to the church stands the Renaissance chapel of the Confraternity of the Rosary, which houses 18th-century religious and historical paintings.

The intimate acoustics of the nave and the sobriety of the setting give the performance a unique character: the audience sits on the same pews where the community gathers throughout the liturgical year, making the concert feel more like a shared prayer than a spectacle.

The 2026 edition and the Orchestra Harmonia

On January 6, 2026, the star of the evening was the Orchestra Harmonia, which performed in the evocative setting of the parish of Santi Filippo e Giacomo. The edition was presented as an event of great symbolic and cultural value, designed to promote the values of unity and solidarity through music.

The details of the pieces performed were not released online; those wishing to know the repertoire for future editions in advance can contact the parish directly or follow the municipality's information channels in the days leading up to Epiphany.

Ospedaletto d'Alpinolo, the village of cupeto

Nestled at an altitude of 725 meters on the slopes of the Partenio massif, about 8 kilometers from Avellino, Ospedaletto d'Alpinolo has just over two thousand inhabitants in an area of barely 5.6 square kilometers. The village's name recalls the Hospital of San Tommaso, founded to welcome pilgrims heading to the Abbey of Montevergine—a bond with the sanctuary that still defines the community's identity today.

The village is also famous for cupeto, the artisanal nougat made with local honey and hazelnuts according to a recipe handed down for generations, and for the castagna del prete (priest's chestnut), the star of the autumn festival.

A year-long calendar of festivities

The Concert of Peace inaugurates a series of events that accompanies the village through all seasons:

• January 6th — Concert of Peace at the Church of Santi Filippo e Giacomo
• Late June — Strawberry Festival
• Mid-September — Re-enactment of the ancient "A juta a Montevergine" festival, with decorated floats, horses, singing, and dancing
• Early October — Priest's Chestnut Festival in the historic center
• December — "Christmas... lights up", with illuminations and festive events

How to best experience the concert

Participants usually arrive a little early to find a seat and walk through the historic center before the start. On January 6th, at an altitude of 725 meters, the cold is biting: warm clothing is highly recommended, especially since the evening often continues with a stroll through the village streets.

As this is a place of worship, discreet behavior is requested during the performance. The day can be completed with a trip to the Sanctuary of Montevergine, accessible by car or via the historic funicular departing from Mercogliano, and by purchasing some cupeto in the village's artisan shops.