Meran-Vinschgau International Organ Academy Festival

A festival dedicated to the art of the organ in South Tyrol

The Meran-Vinschgau International Organ Academy Festival, known as OrgelKunst, is the only event in South Tyrol entirely dedicated to the organ. Organized by the Musica Viva Vinschgau association in collaboration with the Orgelkunstverein, the festival celebrates the rich organ heritage of the Vinschgau Valley (Val Venosta) and the Burgraviato (Burggrafenamt), inviting internationally renowned organists every summer to play historic instruments housed in local churches and convents.

The parish church of Lasa

As part of the festival, the municipality of Lasa/Laas—world-famous for its exquisite white marble—hosts one of the concerts in its parish church. Located in the Vinschgau Valley in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano (Trentino-South Tyrol), the village becomes a key stop on a musical journey that unites the spirituality of these sacred spaces with the artistry of organ performance.

Historic instruments and great performers

The festival is unique in that it does not stay in one place, but travels from church to church to showcase the diverse organs of the region: from the instrument in the Monte Maria (Marienberg) convent to the organs in the parishes of Silandro, Stelvio, Parcines, Agumes, and Lasa, as well as the small gems hidden in mountain chapels. Artistic directors Marian Polin and Lukas Punter curate a program each year tailored to the specific characteristics of each instrument.

A heritage to be heard

The repertoire ranges from sacred and Renaissance music to the Baroque era and the most virtuosic pieces of organ literature, often enhanced by vocal ensembles, harpsichord, and clavichord. Alongside the concerts, the festival offers organ walks that guide the audience from one church to another, transforming the listening experience into a blend of music, art, and the alpine landscape of the Vinschgau Valley.

A landmark summer event

For over thirty years, OrgelKunst has been one of the most refined cultural highlights of the South Tyrolean summer, attracting enthusiasts of early and sacred music from across Europe. The festival helps keep the spotlight on a often-overlooked heritage—that of historic organs—offering the public a rare opportunity to hear them played by top-tier performers.