Monreale Cathedral hosts 68th International Week of Sacred Music

The 68th International Week of Sacred Music is being held at the Monreale Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, from October 2 to October 9, 2026. Organized by the Sicilian Symphony Orchestra Foundation with support from the Sicilian Region, the event follows a three-year musical program inspired by the biblical narratives depicted in the cathedral's mosaics.

The current theme, ‘The Life of Christ’, serves as the second chapter of this trilogy, following the 2025 theme of ‘Genesis’ and preceding the 2027 conclusion themed ‘Apocalypse’. The repertoire spans various eras and styles, including works by Berlioz, Scarlatti, Wagner, and Respighi.

The opening concert featured Berlioz’s ‘L’enfance du Christ’. During the event, Archbishop Gualtiero Isacchi spoke on the power of sacred music to offer hope and a message of peace in a world often dominated by conflict, linking the musical experience to the spiritual significance of the cathedral's mosaics.