Vespri d'Organo a Cristo Re – International Organ Festival
The great international organ festival among the historic churches of Pesaro
About Vespri d'Organo a Cristo Re
A festival that makes Pesaro's organs sing
Vespri d'Organo a Cristo Re is the international organ festival of the Municipality of Pesaro, in the heart of the Province of Pesaro and Urbino, in the Marche region. Founded in 2004 by the Vespri d'Organo a Cristo Re Association, the goal has always been the same: to showcase the city's organs, both ancient and modern, transforming its churches into exceptional concert halls. Over the years, the event has become an iconic fixture of the Pesaro summer, also cited in the official calendar of major city events.
The churches and their organs
The strength of the festival lies in its instruments, each with a different history, located in some of Pesaro's most important churches:
- Chiesa di Cristo Re — V. Mascioni organ from 1906, main venue and heart of the festival
- Basilica Cattedrale — V. Mascioni organ from 1970
- Chiesa del Nome di Dio — historic Antonio Pace organ from 1631
- Chiesa del Carmine — fine Gaetano Callido organ from 1777
- Chiesa dell'Annunziata — Nacchini organ from 1745
- Chiesa di Sant'Agostino and Chiesa di San Giovanni
Not just organ concerts
What makes Vespri d'Organo special is the variety of its programming. Alongside classical recitals, there are original formats that engage with other art forms: since the 8th edition (2011), screenings of silent films accompanied by organ improvisation have been included, and there are evenings with readings by poets and mystics supported by the organ, Gregorian chant, and collaborations with the accordion or a reciting voice. In over twenty years, more than 330 artists from about twenty nations, including Italy, Germany, the United States, Russia, Portugal, and Hungary, have performed.
A summer spread throughout the city
Concerts are held in the evening, usually at 9:15 PM, from July to the end of August, with some special events tied to liturgical holidays (such as the Tourist Mass on Ferragosto in the Cathedral). Admission is free and open to all until seating is full. The festival is realized with the patronage and support of the Archdiocese of Pesaro and Urbino, the Municipality of Pesaro, the Marche Region, and the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Pesaro, and is artistically directed by Giuliana Maccaroni.
Vespri d'Organo a Cristo Re — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the International Organ Festival Vespri d'Organo a Cristo Re is officially included among the signature events of the Pesaro summer, with dates confirmed from July 15 to August 26, 2026. As tradition dictates, concerts are held in a distributed format across Pesaro's historic churches—from the Chiesa di Cristo Re to the Basilica Cattedrale, as well as the Carmine and other churches housing the city's historic organs.
Currently, the detailed program featuring guest organists, venues, and individual concert times has not yet been published on the official website. It will be announced in the weeks leading up to the festival's start, following the usual practice of past years. Admission, also for 2026, is expected to be free and open to all until seating is full.
Programme Vespri d'Organo a Cristo Re 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition (guest organists, venues, and individual concert times) has not yet been published. The official dates of the festival are from July 15 to August 26, 2026.
Based on previous editions, the lineup typically includes:
- evening organ recitals (usually at 9:15 PM) in the city's historic churches
- screenings of silent films with organ accompaniment
- evenings with reciting voices, Gregorian chant, and collaborations with other instruments
- an event related to Ferragosto in the Basilica Cattedrale
The final schedule will be available on the official website vespridorgano.it.
Highlights Vespri d'Organo a Cristo Re 2026
A distributed festival across Pesaro's historic churches featuring their ancient and modern organs; evening concerts with free admission; a program with international organists, silent films accompanied by the organ, and formats that engage with other art forms.
Prices Vespri d'Organo a Cristo Re 2026
Practical information — Vespri d'Organo a Cristo Re
Where
Concerts take place in the historic churches of Pesaro: the main venue is the Chiesa di Cristo Re (Via Lazio), along with the Basilica Cattedrale, the Chiesa del Carmine, del Nome di Dio, dell'Annunziata, di Sant'Agostino, and di San Giovanni. Check the official program for the venue of each event.
Getting there
Pesaro is served by the train station on the Bologna–Ancona Adriatic line and by the Pesaro-Urbino exit of the A14 motorway. The festival churches are located in the city center and are easily accessible on foot.
Times and admission
Concerts usually start at 9:15 PM. Admission is free and open to all until seating is full; it is advisable to arrive a little early. For the updated program, consult the official website vespridorgano.it.
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Where does it take place — Vespri d'Organo a Cristo Re
Chiesa di Cristo Re e chiese storiche di Pesaro
Via Lazio 1, 61121 Pesaro