Sunday, August 16, marks a new event for the 2026 “La Musica nel Sacro” Festival: at 5:00 p.m., in the ancient Cistercian Abbey of Santa Maria a Follina, the Piccola Orchestra Veneta and its soloists, conducted by Giancarlo Nadai and Federico Parravicini, will present a concert of extraordinary value and appeal featuring the music of the great composers Beethoven and Vivaldi, sure to draw the large audience that has for years now been a wonderful constant at this traditional Festival event held in the Basilica of Follina during the Feast of the Assumption.
Violin soloist Lodovico Parravici will be the outstanding performer in Ludwig van Beethoven’s (1770–1827) “Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61.” Following that, the talented soprano Iara Ferrari and the outstanding violinist Carlo Maria Vianello will take center stage in a performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s (1678–1741) “Salve Regina RV 617,” for soprano, violin, strings, and continuo. Finally, Emanuele Bastanzetti’s masterful violin playing will bring to life the performance of the Concerto in D Major RV 208 “Grosso Mogul,” also by Vivaldi.
Follina is therefore preparing to host the highly anticipated performance by the Piccola Orchestra Veneta and its Soloists, conducted by Maestro Nadai, an ensemble founded 22 years ago as part of the advanced violin training programs offered by the “Toti Dal Monte” Music Association in Pieve di Soligo. The ensemble is composed of young musicians, striking a skillful balance between outstanding students from the most prestigious music institutions in northern Italy and already established professionals. Since its founding, the POV has pursued the dual mission of promoting classical music, on the one hand, and showcasing the Veneto region on the other, with a particular focus on the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
At the concert on August 16, as is customary at the Festival’s various events, an art expert from the Beato Toniolo Institute will explain the main religious and artistic features of the sacred building, in this instance, art historian Cristina Chiesura. It is worth noting that one of the short films in the video series “Sacred Sites in UNESCO Lands”
successfully produced thanks to the efforts of the Beato Toniolo Institute, the Diocese of Vittorio Veneto, and the news outlet Qdpnews.it, with the decisive support of Banca Prealpi SanBiagio. Here is the link to watch it: https://www.qdpnews.it/comuni/follina/splende-labbazia-di-follina-sorgente spirituale-in-vallata-la-madonna-il-chiostro-e-la-foresteria-simboli-di-una-bellezza-senza-tempo/
The Bishop of Vittorio Veneto, Monsignor Riccardo Battocchio, who has on several occasions expressed his deep appreciation for the Festival’s initiative, has confirmed that he will be present at the Abbey on the afternoon of August 16.
It is worth noting that the concert in Follina will be dedicated to the memory of Roberto Franceschet, who passed away in recent days. He was president of the Consorzio Pro Loco Quartier del Piave and the creator of “Frutto di un Sostegno Sociale”, for which he received the 2024 Giuseppe Toniolo Award—and a tireless promoter of cultural and social activities and regional promotion in the Alta Marca region for decades. Elisa Nadai will host the event. Admission is free.
A network of many partners working together to support the 2026 Festival
The “La Musica nel Sacro” Festival is sponsored by the Beato Toniolo Diocesan Institute. “Le vie dei Santi,” as part of the “Armonie – Music for the Landscape, Music in the Landscape” project, in collaboration with the Toti Dal Monte Music Association – Piccola Orchestra Veneta. The event, included in the program of Conegliano Valdobbiadene, Italian City of Wine 2026–27, is supported by IPA Terre Alte della Marca Trevigiana and the Association for the Heritage of the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, and is held under the patronage of the Diocese of Vittorio Veneto, with the collaboration and contributions of various local associations, businesses, and media organizations, such as media partners Qdpnews.it, an online news outlet, and L’Azione, a diocesan weekly.
The following organizations make a tangible contribution to the Festival: Banca Prealpi San Biagio (main sponsor), Latteria Soligo, the Consorzio Tutela Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Home Cucine, Dal Ben SpA, Loran, the Eclisse – De Faveri Group, and Sogno Veneto. Among the Festival’s established and significant partners are the cultural network Vite Illustri Pieve di Soligo (VIP), Eventi Venetando, and the “Amici della Musica di Valdobbiadene” Association for the local concert on September 13, 2026.
Here are the upcoming events for the 2026 “La Musica nel Sacro” Festival
- Sunday, August 16, 2026 – Abbey of Santa Maria di Follina at 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday, September 6, 2026 – Chapel of the Sacred Heart – Seminary of Vittorio Veneto at 5:00 p.m. (marking the centennial of its dedication)
- Sunday, September 13, 2026 – Church of San Gregorio in Valdobbiadene at 5:00 p.m. ∙ Sunday, October 4, 2026 – Church of the Capuchin Friars in Conegliano at 3:30 p.m. (as part of the celebrations marking the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis)
- Sunday, October 18, 2026 – Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Pieve di Soligo at 4:00 p.m. (in memory of Francesco Fabbri on the 50th anniversary of his appointment as minister).
