Festival Cantico
Theatre, music, and dance among the villages of Sabina, dedicated to ecological and sustainable art
About Cantico
A widespread festival in the heart of Sabina
The Festival Cantico is a theatre, music, and dance event conceived and curated by actress and choreographer Anna Redi, which has been enlivening the medieval villages of Sabina in the province of Rieti (Lazio) since 2021. Reaching its sixth edition in 2026, the festival was born in Casperia thanks to the support of citizens and small donors through crowdfunding. In 2026, it secured public funding for the first time, expanding into the municipality of Cantalupo in Sabina.
Ecological and sustainable art
Cantico stands out for its philosophy of sustainable enjoyment: performances often take place without electric lighting or amplification, relying on natural daylight and the acoustics of the alleys, squares, and churches of the villages. It is an invitation to deeper listening, inner searching, and community participation, in constant dialogue with nature and the historical heritage of the area.
International artists and historic guests
Over the years, internationally renowned artists have graced the widespread stage of Cantico. The beating heart of the festival is the Accademia dell'Incompiuto company, led by Mario Biagini—a long-time collaborator of Jerzy Grotowski—who has been present for four consecutive years. Guests include dancers and performers such as Luna Cenere, a star of the 2023 Venice Biennale, as well as actors and musicians bringing contemporary languages and research to Sabina.
The theme of spirituality
The 2026 edition is dedicated to spirituality: the title itself evokes the singing of swallows at dawn, a metaphor for inner awakening. The program alternates sacred music concerts, theatrical monologues, improvised dance performances, workshops, and poetic concerts, in a journey that intertwines art, nature, and community.
Two villages, one unique experience
From 2026, the festival embraces two neighboring villages: Casperia, where it took its first steps, and Cantalupo in Sabina, which joins the circuit for the first time. Walking through their cobbled streets, churches, and parks—now transformed into performance spaces—is an integral part of the experience. Cantico is not just a festival of shows, but a way to rediscover the small towns of the Rieti area through live art.
Cantico — edition 2026
6th edition of Festival Cantico
The sixth edition of the Festival Cantico, curated by Anna Redi, was held from Friday, July 10 to Sunday, July 12, 2026, between the villages of Casperia and Cantalupo in Sabina, in the province of Rieti. Three days of theatre, music, and dance with free admission, dedicated to the theme of spirituality and deep listening, featuring the participation of the Accademia dell'Incompiuto led by Mario Biagini.
Programme Cantico 2026
Friday, July 10 — Casperia
- 18:30 — Porta Reatina: final presentation of the "Hamlet" workshop with students from the MAB Academy.
- 20:00 — Piazza San Giovanni: "Simone Weil" poetic concert, with Ilaria Drago.
Saturday, July 11 — Cantalupo in Sabina
- 11:00 — Church of Sant'Adamo: "Anima Loci" sacred music concert.
- 18:00 — Parco Camuccini: improvised dance performance by Luna Cenere.
- 19:00 — Flashmob "Nel silenzio di un canto / Dwelling in a Silent Song" by the Accademia dell'Incompiuto.
Sunday, July 12 — Cantalupo in Sabina
- 19:00 — "Canti per Allen Ginsberg", with vocalist Felicita Marcelli.
- 21:00 — Piazza Garibaldi: theatrical monologue "L'ultimo dei Primi", with Denis Campitelli.
Highlights Cantico 2026
- First edition extended to two villages: Casperia and Cantalupo in Sabina.
- The Accademia dell'Incompiuto led by Mario Biagini, for the fourth consecutive year.
- Dancer Luna Cenere, a star of the 2023 Venice Biennale.
- 2026 theme dedicated to spirituality and deep listening.
- Free admission to all performances.
Prices Cantico 2026
Practical information — Cantico
How to get there
Cantalupo in Sabina and Casperia are located in the province of Rieti, in the Lazio region. By car, they can be reached via the Via Salaria (SS4) or the A1 motorway (Ponzano Romano-Soratte exit), continuing towards Sabina. By train, the reference station is Poggio Mirteto (FL1 Rome-Orte line), with local bus connections to the villages.
Admission and information
Admission to all performances is free. Events take place in the squares, churches, and parks of the two villages: comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for uphill streets are recommended. For the updated program, please consult the festival's channels and the websites of the municipalities of Casperia and Cantalupo in Sabina.
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Where does it take place — Cantico
Borgo di Cantalupo in Sabina