Cortona Sacred Music Festival
Concerts, liturgies, and meditation in the churches of Cortona's historic center
About Cortona Sacred Music
A festival in the spiritual heart of Cortona
The Cortona Sacred Music Festival is one of the most beloved cultural and religious events of the Tuscan summer. Established in the early 2000s, it offers an annual program of concerts, oratorios, liturgies, and meditations winding through the churches and symbolic sites of Cortona's historic center, one of the most fascinating art cities in the province of Arezzo, Tuscany. The artistic direction is entrusted to Monsignor Marco Frisina, one of Italy's most renowned composers and conductors in the field of sacred music.
The venues: churches and sanctuaries of the medieval city
What makes this festival unique is the dialogue between the music and the spaces that host it. Concerts take place in some of Cortona's most historically and spiritually significant locations: the Church of San Domenico, the Cathedral (Duomo), the Church of Santa Maria Nuova, the Sanctuary of Santa Margherita, and the Eremo delle Celle, founded by Saint Francis. Listening to sacred polyphony, oratorios, and Franciscan chants under these vaults transforms every evening into an experience that goes beyond a simple concert.
A program between the sacred and the contemporary
The program alternates great pages of the sacred tradition with more contemporary offerings: masses and oratorios, diocesan choirs, and instrumental ensembles, as well as evenings dedicated to singer-songwriters and tributes to famous composers. Each edition revolves around a spiritual theme that acts as a common thread for the concerts, liturgies, and moments of reflection offered to the public.
Free admission and a spirit of hospitality
All festival events are free of charge, in keeping with the spirit of hospitality that drives the event and the Cortona Cristiana Association, which organizes it. It is a precious opportunity to discover or rediscover Cortona during summer evenings, combining the beauty of music with that of the artistic and landscape heritage of the Valdichiana area in Arezzo.
Why it's worth attending
- High-level sacred music concerts in historic churches and sanctuaries
- Artistic direction by Monsignor Marco Frisina
- Free admission to all events
- An immersion in the spirituality and art of one of Tuscany's most beautiful cities
Cortona Sacred Music — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Cortona Sacred Music Festival celebrates its 23rd year with the theme "Sister Peace," a Franciscan call for world peace in the year of the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis. For nine days, the churches and symbolic sites of Cortona, in the province of Arezzo, host concerts, liturgies, and meditation sessions under the artistic direction of Monsignor Marco Frisina. The program ranges from great symphonic-choral music to Franciscan chants, including evenings that blend the sacred and the contemporary, all with free admission.
Programme Cortona Sacred Music 2026
June 27 — Church of San Domenico (9:00 PM)
Opening night with "Tosca in Concert - Tribute to Ennio Morricone", featuring the Quintetto Italiano.
June 28 — Eremo delle Celle (10:30 AM)
Inaugural Holy Mass accompanied by the Motus Cordi ensemble.
June 29 — Church of San Domenico (9:00 PM)
Concert "Laudi" with an ensemble of musicians.
June 30 — Church of Santa Maria Nuova (9:00 PM)
"Franciscus vir catholicus", featuring bandoneon.
July 1 — Sanctuary of Santa Margherita (9:00 PM)
"Sister Death", an evening dedicated to Franciscan chants.
July 2 — Cathedral (Duomo, 9:00 PM)
"Missa in tempore belli" by Haydn, with soloists Silvia Steiner (soprano), Stefania Colasanti (contralto), Antonio Sapio (tenor), and Ferruccio Finetti (bass).
July 3 — Church of San Domenico (9:00 PM)
"May the Lord give you peace" by Marcello Bronzetti.
July 4 — Church of San Domenico (9:00 PM)
"A sun was born into the world", with the Choir of the Diocese of Rome directed by Monsignor Marco Frisina, and moments dedicated to jazz.
July 5
Closing events of the festival in the churches of the historic center.
Highlights Cortona Sacred Music 2026
Prices Cortona Sacred Music 2026
Practical information — Cortona Sacred Music
How to get there
By car: Cortona can be reached via the A1 motorway (Valdichiana or Monte San Savino exits) and the E45 expressway. By train: Camucia-Cortona station on the Florence-Rome line, connected to the historic center by local buses. The historic center is largely pedestrianized: it is recommended to park in the lots at the bottom of the hill and walk up or use the public elevators.
Admission and reservations
Admission to all concerts is free. For major events, it is advisable to arrive early to secure a seat.
Information
Associazione Cortona Cristiana — tel. +39 0575 637274 — email [email protected] — website cortonacristiana.it.
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Where does it take place — Cortona Sacred Music
Chiese e luoghi simbolici del centro storico di Cortona