Sergio Chiarlo International Choral Festival

The Sergio Chiarlo Festival in Savigliano

The Sergio Chiarlo International Choral Festival is one of the most anticipated events of the Piedmontese choral season. Every year in early June, the Municipality of Savigliano, in the province of Cuneo, welcomes choirs from Italy and abroad for three days dedicated to vocal music, cultural dialogue, and community. The event is organized by the Coro Milanollo of Savigliano and is named in memory of maestro Sergio Chiarlo, the choir's historical soul and the festival's founder.

A bridge between Savigliano and Moretta

While centered in Savigliano, the festival has always been itinerant, involving other municipalities in the region: in recent editions, concerts have also been held in Moretta, in Piazza Europa, and in the past in Villafalletto. This widespread format allows choral music to reach various squares, theaters, and churches, highlighting the architectural heritage and community life of this corner of Piedmont.

Choirs from all over Europe

The international vocation is the hallmark of the event. Alongside the hosts, the Coro Milanollo, high-level groups from different countries perform. Recent editions have featured:

• the Choir of the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Tirana (Albania);
• the Roman choir Minuscolo Spazio Vocale;
• the Artemusica Youth Choir of Valperga.

Each concert becomes an opportunity for cultural exchange, with repertoires ranging from sacred music to polyphony, and from folk songs to new contemporary expressions.

The Coro Milanollo, the heart of the festival

Founded in Savigliano, the Coro Milanollo has been active for over fifty years and represents one of the longest-running and most beloved choral groups in the Cuneo area. The artistic direction is currently entrusted to the Chiarlo family, who carry on the legacy of maestro Sergio: a commitment built on passion, generational continuity, and deep roots in the Savigliano community.

A free event open to all

All festival concerts have free admission, with reservations sometimes required for indoor venues. The event traditionally concludes with a Mass performed by the guest choirs at the Church of San Filippo Neri and an official ceremony at the Town Hall, featuring an exchange of gifts between the participating groups: a symbolic gesture that encapsulates the spirit of friendship and brotherhood that has animated the Sergio Chiarlo festival for decades.