Festival Organistico Internazionale - Arte & Musica nelle Chiese della Superba
Free organ concerts in the historic churches of Genoa
About Festival Organistico Internazionale
The organ, the king of instruments
The International Organ Festival celebrates the pipe organ, the principal instrument of sacred music, through a series of free concerts in the historic churches of Genoa, the "Superba". The idea behind the festival is twofold: to offer great music and, at the same time, to enhance the rich heritage of historic organs housed in the city's churches.
Every Tuesday, a different church
The formula is simple and elegant: every Tuesday the festival moves to a different church in the historic center and surrounding districts, showcasing instruments built between the 18th and 19th centuries by master organ builders such as Antonio Alari, Filippo Pittaluga, Giacomo Mascioni, and Giacomo Locatelli. Each concert thus becomes an opportunity to visit and listen to sacred places of great historical and artistic value.
Organists from all over Europe
Italian and international organists, conservatory professors, and young talents take turns on the podium, with programs spanning the centuries: from the Baroque of Buxtehude and Bach to the Romanticism of Mendelssohn and Petrali, passing through Vivaldi, Handel, Mozart, and Haydn. Some concerts feature collaborations with orchestras and chamber ensembles.
A gift to the city
Thanks to free admission, the festival is a gift to the city and its visitors. Organized by the Rapallo Musica Cultural Association ETS, it helps to keep organ culture alive in Liguria and to promote a musical heritage that is often little frequented.
Festival Organistico Internazionale — edition 2026
The 5th edition of the International Organ Festival takes place from May 19 to June 9, 2026, every Tuesday, with free admission. Five events in as many historic churches of Genoa, on organs built between the 18th and 19th centuries.
The festival is organized by the Rapallo Musica Cultural Association ETS, with artistic direction by Fabio Macera and Filippo Torre.
Programme Festival Organistico Internazionale 2026
Tuesday, May 19, 9 PM - Basilica of San Siro
- Luca Scandali (Rossini Conservatory of Pesaro) with the Paganini Orchestra - Walter Chinaglia organ (2022); music by Vivaldi, Handel, Mozart, Haydn
Tuesday, May 26, 9 PM - San Francesco alla Chiappetta, Bolzaneto
- David Kiefer (Young Echo Organist 2026) - Giacomo Mascioni organ (1887); music by Buxtehude, Bach, Mendelssohn, Albéniz
Tuesday, June 2 - double concert by Bernhard Marx
- 5:30 PM - Abbey of San Matteo, Antonio Alari organ (18th century): "Elegance and Joy for the King of Instruments"
- 9:00 PM - Santi Cosma e Damiano, Filippo Pittaluga organ (1764): "Dances and Hymns"
Tuesday, June 9, 9 PM - N.S. della Consolazione
- Giulio Piovani (Canepa Conservatory of Sassari) - Giacomo Locatelli mechanical organ (1880); music by Vincenzo Antonio Petrali
Highlights Festival Organistico Internazionale 2026
Prices Festival Organistico Internazionale 2026
Practical information — Festival Organistico Internazionale
How to get there
The churches involved are located in the historic center and in some districts of Genoa (San Siro, Abbey of San Matteo, Santi Cosma e Damiano, N.S. della Consolazione, San Francesco alla Chiappetta in Bolzaneto), reachable on foot and by public transport (AMT).
Admission
All concerts are free to enter. Evening concerts generally start at 9 PM.
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Where does it take place — Festival Organistico Internazionale
Chiese del centro storico di Genova
Via San Siro, 16124 Genova