Don Giovanni Pellicciotti International Organ Music Festival
One of Italy's longest-running organ festivals, held in the historic churches of Vasto
About Pellicciotti Organ Festival
A historic festival in the heart of Vasto
The Don Giovanni Pellicciotti International Organ Music Festival is a landmark event in the musical landscape of Abruzzo and Italy. Established in 1970 by Don Giovanni Pellicciotti (1930-2022), parish priest of the Co-Cathedral of San Giuseppe, together with lawyer Roberto Bontempo, it is now one of the longest-running organ festivals in Italy. It takes place every summer in Vasto, in the province of Chieti, overlooking the Adriatic Sea along the famous Trabocchi Coast.
The churches and their organs
Concerts are held primarily in two historic places of worship in Vasto's old town: the Co-Cathedral of San Giuseppe and the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. These spaces house magnificent organs that make every evening a unique sonic experience, where the acoustics of the naves enhance the repertoire. The festival alternates between these two churches, offering the audience the chance to enjoy different instruments and settings.
An international program
Under the artistic direction of Maestro Alessandro Alonzi, the festival attracts organists and musicians of international caliber. The concerts go beyond just the organ: many evenings feature vocalists, soloists, and chamber ensembles, broadening the repertoire from Baroque to Romantic and contemporary music, as well as famous organ improvisations for silent films. All events take place in the evening at 10:00 PM, the perfect time to enjoy the summer cool and the intimate atmosphere of the churches.
Music and the territory
The event, supported by the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Municipality of Vasto, is part of the city's rich summer calendar and helps promote the historical and artistic heritage of Abruzzo. Over the years, the festival has expanded its reach to neighboring villages, taking organ music beyond the city limits and strengthening the bond between great musical culture and local religious traditions.
Why attend
- One of Italy's oldest and most prestigious organ festivals, active since 1970
- Concerts held in two historic churches in the center of Vasto
- International organists and programs featuring vocalists and soloists
- Accessible to a wide audience in stunning, atmospheric settings
- The perfect opportunity to discover Vasto and the Trabocchi Coast in summer
Pellicciotti Organ Festival — edition 2026
57th edition (2026)
From July 12 to August 30, 2026, the 57th edition of the festival takes place, featuring ten evening concerts at 10:00 PM, alternating between the Co-Cathedral of San Giuseppe and the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Vasto. The artistic direction is entrusted to Maestro Alessandro Alonzi.
The program
The opening concert, on Sunday, July 12 at Santa Maria Maggiore, is dedicated to Johannes Brahms, featuring Alessandro Alonzi and Francesco D'Annibale performing the famous Hungarian Dances. This is followed by the July 13 event with Alessandro Albenga, David Brutti, and Miriam Callegaro; the July 19 concert featuring the Franciscan musical journey "Laude Serafica" with Walter D'Arcangelo and Marco Giacintucci; and the July 20 performance by the singers of the Sistine Chapel Choir.
The festival travels beyond the city limits with two concerts in Pietrabbondante (August 3) and Guardialfiera (August 23, with Giuseppe Valerio Santoro on the organ). The grand finale takes place on August 30 at Santa Maria Maggiore with Paolo Oreni, who will perform an organ improvisation accompanying the screening of the 1923 silent film "The Ten Commandments".
Programme Pellicciotti Organ Festival 2026
- July 12 - Santa Maria Maggiore, 10:00 PM: Alessandro Alonzi and Francesco D'Annibale, program dedicated to Johannes Brahms (Hungarian Dances)
- July 13 - Co-Cathedral of San Giuseppe, 10:00 PM: Alessandro Albenga, David Brutti, and Miriam Callegaro
- July 19 - Santa Maria Maggiore, 10:00 PM: "Laude Serafica", Franciscan journey with Walter D'Arcangelo and Marco Giacintucci
- July 20 - Co-Cathedral of San Giuseppe, 10:00 PM: Singers of the Sistine Chapel Choir
- August 3 - Pietrabbondante
- August 23 - Guardialfiera: Giuseppe Valerio Santoro on the organ
- August 30 - Santa Maria Maggiore, 10:00 PM: Paolo Oreni, organ improvisation on the silent film "The Ten Commandments" (1923)
Highlights Pellicciotti Organ Festival 2026
- Opening concert dedicated to Brahms with the Hungarian Dances
- Performance by the singers of the Sistine Chapel Choir
- Grand finale with Paolo Oreni and his improvisation on the silent film "The Ten Commandments" (1923)
- Concerts also held in Pietrabbondante and Guardialfiera
Prices Pellicciotti Organ Festival 2026
Practical information — Pellicciotti Organ Festival
How to get there
Vasto can be reached by car via the A14 motorway (Vasto Nord or Vasto Sud exit). The Vasto-San Salvo railway station is connected to the main Adriatic lines; from the historic center, where the Co-Cathedral of San Giuseppe and Santa Maria Maggiore are located, the area is served by local buses.
Times and venues
All concerts begin at 10:00 PM and take place alternately in the Co-Cathedral of San Giuseppe and the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, in the historic center of Vasto.
Information
For the updated program and details, you can consult the city's tourist portal or contact the organizers at +39 389 4663495.
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Where does it take place — Pellicciotti Organ Festival
Concattedrale San Giuseppe e Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore