68th International Week of Sacred Music in Monreale

From 2 to 9 October 2026, the Cathedral of Monreale hosts the 68th International Week of Sacred Music, a long-standing festival organised by the Fondazione Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana with the support of the Sicilian Region – Department of Tourism, Sport and Entertainment. The programme includes seven concerts, all starting at 9:00 pm, with free admission subject to availability.

The theme chosen for the 2026 edition is “The Life of Christ”, the second chapter of the three-year programme launched in 2025 with “Genesis” and set to conclude in 2027 with “The Apocalypse”. The programme ideally follows the different stages of Christ’s life, from the Nativity to the Flight into Egypt, from the Passion and the Cross to the Resurrection and Pentecost, creating a dialogue between sacred repertoire and the biblical narrative depicted in the mosaics of the Cathedral.

The programme spans different periods and musical languages, with works by Berlioz, Scarlatti, de Majo, Perosi, Respighi and Wagner, alongside lesser-known pages of the repertoire and medieval laude. The opening concert on 2 October features L’Enfance du Christ by Hector Berlioz, while another event is dedicated to the Crucifix of the Collegiata of Monreale, highlighting the connection between musical tradition and the religious history of the city.

The festival also involves the Fondazione Teatro Massimo di Palermo, the Conservatorio “Alessandro Scarlatti” di Palermo and the Teatro Massimo Bellini di Catania, bringing together performers, choirs and orchestras in one of Sicily’s most significant artistic heritage sites.

View the full programme of the Monreale Sacred Music Week.