"Soli Deo Gloria" Organ Festival

The "King of Instruments" takes center stage in Sturno

The "Soli Deo Gloria" Organ Festival is the annual summer event that brings the grandeur of organ music back to the churches of Irpinia. In Sturno, a town in the Province of Avellino, Campania, concerts are held at the Diocesan Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo, overlooking Piazza Michele Aufiero in the heart of the village. Here, the pipe organ is heard once again by locals, curious visitors, and enthusiasts alike, during evenings that blend musical artistry with the sacred atmosphere of the place of worship.

The festival is curated by artistic director Vincenzo Di Ianni, who has quickly established it as a highlight of the cultural calendar in inland Campania. The title, "Soli Deo Gloria," references the phrase Johann Sebastian Bach used to sign his scores, reflecting the director's belief that "the ultimate purpose of music should be nothing other than the Glory of God and the refreshment of the soul."

A festival spanning three Irpinian towns

"Soli Deo Gloria" is not confined to a single location; the program is distributed across Guardia Lombardi, Lioni, and Sturno, the three municipalities that co-sponsor the event. In 2026, the festival reached its fifth edition, featuring seven concerts held from July 9 to October 2. The console is shared by renowned national and international organists and rising young stars, a formula that allows audiences to hear both established masters and the new generation of the Italian organ school.

The Sturno program

For the town of Sturno, the 2026 edition features two evenings at the Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo:

• Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 9:00 PM — "Baroque on other keyboards," an evening dedicated to 17th and 18th-century repertoire performed on period keyboard instruments.
• Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 7:00 PM — Organ concert featuring Manuele Barale.

Both events are free to attend and open to all, with no reservation required. The Sturno cycle is part of the municipal summer program E-State Sturnese, which enlivens the town from June to September with sports, cultural events, music, and traditional festivals.

Why an organ festival in Irpinia?

The project was born with a clear goal: to showcase the organ heritage preserved in local churches—instruments often overlooked outside of liturgy that represent true works of art and centuries of history and spirituality. Bringing top-tier performers to these churches restores a continuous cultural program to the towns of upper Irpinia, an area where live classical music is rare. This choice has both artistic and civic value: the festival introduces a wider audience to a repertoire that would otherwise remain the preserve of a few specialists.

The Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo

The Sturno venue for the festival, the Diocesan Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo, is a key religious landmark located in Piazza Michele Aufiero, just a short walk from the center. The building's acoustics and the presence of the organ make it the natural setting for the concert series. The organization is managed by the SS. Domenico e Francesco Parish, which handles logistics and guest hospitality.

Who is it for?

• Classical, Baroque, and sacred music lovers looking for an authentic listening experience.
• Tourists visiting Irpinia in summer, seeking high-quality, free events.
• Families and residents of neighboring towns, for whom the festival has become a late-summer staple.
• Music students and young organists interested in seeing established performers live.

The free admission, the concise duration of the evenings, and the central location make "Soli Deo Gloria" easily accessible even to those who do not regularly attend concert halls.