Musica Praecentio

A festival that spans the liturgical year

In Jesi, in the heart of the Province of Ancona, Musica Praecentio is one of the most refined listening experiences in the Marche region. Promoted by the Rosasolis Association, the festival is not concentrated in a few days but unfolds throughout the calendar, setting its appointments to coincide with the main solemnities: New Year's Day, Epiphany, Ferragosto (Assumption of Mary), All Saints' Day, Immaculate Conception, and Christmas. Each concert is a moment suspended between music and word, designed to accompany the celebration with an hour of contemplation and beauty.

The formula: sacred music and poetry together

The distinctive feature of Musica Praecentio is the harmonious union of music and poetry. Alongside the musical pieces, reciting voices present poetic texts chosen in harmony with the theme of the solemnity, creating a dialogue between sound and word that makes each event a unique experience. The repertoire ranges from Gregorian chant, often performed with original harmonizations, to the great European organ tradition: from the Renaissance to the Baroque and the 19th century, featuring Italian, German, French, and Swiss composers.

The historic Vegezzi-Bossi organ

The sonic soul of the festival is the precious Carlo Vegezzi-Bossi organ, built in Turin in 1887 and housed in the church of San Giovanni Battista. An instrument of great historical value, it offers the concerts an authentic timbral color, capable of faithfully rendering the ancient pages of the sacred repertoire. The artistic direction is entrusted to Maestro Mariella Martelli, who on several occasions has premiered her own compositions dedicated to the celebrated anniversaries.

Where it takes place

All concerts take place in the church of San Giovanni Battista, known to the people of Jesi as the church of San Filippo, along Corso Matteotti in the historic center of Jesi, the birthplace of Emperor Frederick II and composer Giovan Battista Pergolesi. Admission is always free, in line with the spirit of the festival, open to worshippers, music lovers, and the curious of all ages.

A tradition of the Marche

Reaching its thirty-fourth edition for the Ferragosto event in 2026, Musica Praecentio is now a cultural reference point for Jesi and the entire Province of Ancona. Its continuity over time and the care of its programs make it a small institution of musical life in the Marche region, capable of uniting liturgical heritage, musical research, and poetic dissemination.