Quirinale Concerts – Cappella Paolina

Great music in the heart of the Quirinal

For over twenty years, the Cappella Paolina at the Quirinal Palace has served as the setting for one of Rome's most cherished musical traditions. The Quirinale Concerts, launched in 2001 as a production by Rai Radio3 in partnership with the Presidency of the Republic, bring live music into the symbolic heart of Italian institutions, opening the doors to the public and listeners across Europe every Sunday morning.

The schedule is set: every Sunday at 11:50 AM, the concert is broadcast live on Rai Radio3 and shared through Euroradio links in many European countries. It is one of the longest-running and most popular concert series in Italy, blending artistic excellence with the breathtaking beauty of a frescoed hall in the center of Rome.

A program that spans the centuries

The hallmark of the series is its variety. The podium of the Cappella Paolina hosts both emerging young talents and great names of the international concert scene, with programs spanning from early and Baroque music to the great classical and romantic repertoire, as well as contemporary music, singer-songwriter pieces, and folk music. Each Sunday offers a different journey: solo recitals, chamber ensembles, and string quartets.

The 2025/2026 season upheld this tradition, hosting artists such as the "Giorgio Bernasconi" Ensemble of the Accademia Teatro alla Scala, alongside performers like violinist Robert McDuffie, cellist Erica Picotti, harpist Virginia Vignera, and pianist Oscar Pizzo, with works ranging from Bach to Saint-Saëns, and Ravel to Stravinsky.

The Cappella Paolina, a 17th-century treasure

Built in the 17th century as the private chapel of the Quirinal Palace, the Cappella Paolina shares the same dimensions as the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican and possesses acoustics that make it an ideal venue for chamber music. Attending a concert here means experiencing both a high-level musical performance and a rare opportunity to visit a monumental space that is otherwise difficult to access.

A cultural institution of Rome

Free and open to all upon reservation, the Quirinale Concerts are now a staple of the cultural calendar of the City of Rome and the entire Lazio region. They represent a rare example of accessible high-level musical outreach: a heritage that, thanks to the radio, has brought live music from the Cappella Paolina into the homes of millions of Italian and European listeners for years.

• Where: Cappella Paolina, Quirinal Palace, Rome (Lazio)
• When: Sunday mornings, at 11:50 AM, during the concert season
• Live broadcast: Rai Radio3 and Euroradio network
• Admission: Free, by nominative reservation