RoccaInCanto – Singing Festival

A singing festival in the heart of the Altipiano delle Rocche

RoccaInCanto is the summer singing competition of Rocca di Mezzo, a mountain town on the Altipiano delle Rocche in the province of L'Aquila, in the heart of Abruzzo. Founded in 2010 and organized by the Nuova Pro Loco of Rocca di Mezzo, the event is dedicated to emerging solo singers who, edition after edition, take the stage to showcase their talent before the public and a qualified jury.

How the competition works

The festival is a true singing competition reserved for emerging voices from Abruzzo and across Italy. After a selection and audition phase, the finalists perform during the final evening at the "L. Sebastiani" Sports Hall, accompanied live by an orchestra. A jury composed of music industry professionals evaluates the performances and awards prizes, including the Critics' Choice and the People's Choice awards.

Artistic direction and the orchestra

The artistic direction is led by Sandro Argentieri, who over the years has curated a lineup that blends competition between young talents with the presence of established artists. In recent years, the finalists' performances have been enhanced by the live accompaniment of the Pop Orchestra Armelis, which has added musical quality and depth to the evenings.

Prestigious guests and juries

Over time, RoccaInCanto has hosted well-known names from the Italian music scene as jury presidents and guests. The 2025 edition featured Francesca Alotta, a Sanremo festival performer, as president of the jury. The formula, which alternates the freshness of young contestants with the presence of familiar faces from the entertainment world, is one of the secrets to the event's longevity.

A staple of the Abruzzo mountain summer

RoccaInCanto is part of the rich summer calendar of the Altipiano delle Rocche, alongside food festivals, concerts, and cultural events that enliven the months of July and August in Rocca di Mezzo. For those spending their holidays in this corner of the Abruzzo Apennines, the festival evening is the perfect opportunity to combine a high-altitude stroll and fresh mountain air with an evening of free, live music open to everyone.