International Choral Festival of Polyphony and Folk Song

A choral tradition spanning over forty years

The International Choral Festival of Polyphony and Folk Song was established in 1980 by the Corale Polifonica Marcellinense, a mixed-voice ensemble founded in 1975 in the town of Marcellina, in the province of Rome, Lazio. The original concept was simple and, at the time, quite unconventional: to create an event where choral groups could sing freely, away from the psychological pressure of competition, in an atmosphere of friendship and social brotherhood. The formula has remained unchanged ever since: no juries, no rankings, just mutual listening among ensembles sharing different musical studies, cultures, and tastes.

From Lazio to Europe and beyond

In its early editions, the festival primarily gathered Italian choirs, with a strong presence from the Lazio region and the Tiburtine area. Since the 1990s, the event has taken on a truly international dimension, welcoming groups from the United States, Canada, Australia, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Germany, France, and Spain. This openness has made the Marcellina festival one of the longest-running choral events in the area northeast of Rome, followed with affection by the local community.

The repertoire: polyphony and folk song

The musical program revolves around two main pillars, as stated in the event's title:

• Renaissance polyphony, both sacred and secular, with a particular focus on Italian and European composers of the 16th century;
• Folk song, featuring traditional motifs from Italian regions and the home countries of the guest choirs;
• Original compositions and contemporary arrangements, which each group presents as a calling card of their choral school.

The alternation between sacred pieces and work, mountain, or festive songs offers the audience a varied listening experience, capable of engaging even those who do not regularly attend choral performances.

The church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Monte Dominici

The historic venue for the festival is the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Monte Dominici, one of the most cherished places of worship for the inhabitants of Marcellina and recognized as a local landmark. The building's acoustics and intimate atmosphere are naturally suited for a cappella singing: the voices resonate against the stone without the need for amplification, which is one of the reasons the Corale Polifonica Marcellinense continues to choose it edition after edition.

Marcellina and Monte Gennaro

Marcellina is located at the foot of Monte Gennaro, in the heart of the Monti Lucretili Regional Natural Park, a short distance from Tivoli and Villa Adriana. Attending the festival is therefore also an opportunity for a day in the Aniene Valley: hiking trails, villages of the Roman Sabina, and simple, generous mountain cuisine. The concert, usually held in the evening, ideally concludes a day spent between nature and heritage.

A broader association project

The festival is not an isolated event: the Corale Polifonica Marcellinense APS, directed by maestro Giuseppe Valeriani, organizes other events throughout the year, from Epiphany concerts to Christmas festivals, as well as performances in other towns across Lazio. The activity is supported by the Lazio Region and is part of the Italian Choral Federation network, of which the group is a member.

Why attend

First-time visitors will find a free, informal evening where they can listen to choirs that often have decades of experience behind them. It is the kind of event that is disappearing elsewhere, but which survives in Marcellina thanks to the voluntary work of about thirty choristers: more than just a festival, it is a musical tradition of the town.