Quando Senti Cantare Winter Choral Festival

A choral tradition in the heart of Val Pellice

For over twenty years, at the start of winter, the Waldensian Temple of Villar Pellice has become the sounding board for one of the valley's most beloved choral events: Quando Senti Cantare. The festival takes place in the small town of Villar Pellice, in the upper Val Pellice, in the Province of Turin, and is organized by the Coro Valpellice with the patronage of the municipal administration.

It is a staple of the valley's cultural scene: each edition invites guest choirs—from Piedmont, the Aosta Valley, or other Italian regions—to perform alongside the host choir. The result is an afternoon that unites the audience and singers through the universal language of choral music.

A varied and engaging repertoire

The common thread of the festival is folk-inspired singing, but the program for each concert goes much further: from traditional folk and alpine songs to sacred and secular polyphony, from singer-songwriter pieces to spirituals and pop music. The repertoire is designed to engage every type of audience, from choral enthusiasts to curious visitors looking to spend a unique afternoon.

The choice of the Waldensian Temple as a venue is no coincidence: the building's intimate acoustics and the historical bond between Val Pellice and the Waldensian tradition give the festival a particularly evocative atmosphere, suspended between reflection and celebration.

Coro Valpellice, the soul of the festival

Behind "Quando Senti Cantare" is the Coro Valpellice, founded in 1958 as a group dedicated to folk and mountain singing, which has evolved over the years into the "Coro Valpellice – Gruppo Vocale di Ispirazione Popolare". The ensemble is one of the longest-running choral groups in the region and organizes, in addition to this winter festival in Villar Pellice, the Folk-Inspired Singing Festival and the "Auguri alla Valle" show in Torre Pellice.

When and where

The festival traditionally takes place on a Sunday afternoon in early February, starting in the late afternoon. Admission is free, reflecting the event's popular spirit and cultural mission. For those visiting Val Pellice in winter, it is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the Alpine Piedmont and its vibrant choral tradition.