Rome International Choral Festival

A choral event in the heart of Rome

The Rome International Choral Festival is one of the capital's premier summer musical events. Each year, in the second half of June, it gathers mixed-voice choirs and singers from across North America for a week of rehearsals, sightseeing, and performances under the baton of American maestro Z. Randall Stroope. The event is produced by Music Celebrations International.

The artistic direction of Z. Randall Stroope

A prolific composer, conductor, and educator on the international choral scene, Z. Randall Stroope has led the festival since its inception in 2009. Under his guidance, the participating choirs merge into one large ensemble, tackling a vast repertoire ranging from sacred music and Gregorian chant to Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic, and contemporary works.

Grand basilicas as concert halls

The festival transforms some of Rome's most extraordinary landmarks into concert venues. The most solemn moment is the choirs' participation in Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, while the final concert is held at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs, overlooking Piazza della Repubblica. This church, designed by Michelangelo within the ancient Baths of Diocletian at the behest of Pope Pius IV, combines the grandeur of Roman architecture with Renaissance elements and offers stunning acoustics.

A week of music and heritage

Beyond rehearsals and concerts, the program includes guided tours of Imperial Rome (Roman Forum, Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Baths of Caracalla) and Religious Rome (Vatican City, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel). Singers experience the city not just as performers, but as travelers, discovering the historical and artistic heritage that frames the festival.

Rome and the Lazio region

Hosted in the city of Rome, the capital of the Lazio region, the festival weaves North American choral tradition with the spiritual and monumental richness of the Eternal City. For the Roman public, it is an opportunity to enjoy world-class choral performances for free in settings of exceptional artistic and religious value.