The Cantico Festival proudly celebrated its 6th anniversary, continuing its successful tradition with an edition that was broader, more ambitious, and — for the very first time — entirely funded without crowdfunding.

Dedicated to theater, music, and dance centered around spirituality, this small but proud festival offers a sonic and spiritual journey designed to align deep listening with care for our surrounding environments. This year, the festival experienced major growth: after years of animating the squares and narrow streets of Casperia, Cantico expanded its artistic vision to the neighboring municipality of Cantalupo. This new collaboration marks a sustainable, eco-friendly path aimed at networking neighboring communities and encouraging mindful tourism.

Thanks to public funding from ATCL (Associazione Teatrale fra i Comuni del Lazio) and the two host municipalities of Casperia and Cantalupo, as well as the generous sponsorship of Fondazione Varrone, the festival was completely free of charge for all citizens.

Under the artistic direction of Anna Redi, a spectacular lineup of international talent gathered in the picturesque Sabina hills. Artists engaged deeply with the local community, hosting immersive workshops and delivering performances that surpassed even the most vibrant expectations. A special highlight was the involvement of artists from the renowned Pontedera lineage, led by the inspiring Mario Biagini, who hosted a workshop on the theme of “the vigil” that culminated in the moving collective flashmob, Nel silenzio di un canto / Dwelling in a Silent Song.

It was truly a magical few days here in Sabina. If you missed it, it’s time to start planning for next year! In the meantime, you can catch up on what RadioRai3 had to say about the event in the interview linked below.

A Journey Through the 2026 Edition

Friday, July 10 – The Opening in Casperia

As tradition dictates, the festival opened in Casperia. The late afternoon began at Porta Reatina with the final showcase of the Hamlet workshop, featuring students from Rome’s MAB Academy, where Anna Redi teaches. From there, audiences wound through the town’s charming alleyways, pausing at the central square to take in the breathtaking views of Monte Soratte—a sacred mountain cherished by the Roman poet Horace and a historical refuge for saints and hermits. As twilight fell, the crowd gathered in the peaceful, silent sanctuary of Piazza San Giovanni, a natural stage under the shadow of the church, for Ilaria Drago’s poetic concert Simone Weil, a profound tribute to one of the 20th century’s greatest mystics.

Saturday, July 11 – Crossing Over to Cantalupo

On Saturday morning, the festival shifted to the countryside just outside Cantalupo. The 13th-century Romanesque church of Sant’Adamo hosted Anima Loci, a deeply evocative concert of sacred music and voices. By late afternoon, audiences moved to the lush green oasis of Parco Camuccini. The evening opened with a brilliant, raw improvisation by dancer and choreographer Luna Cenere, before weaving into the highly anticipated, multi-ethnic collective flashmob Nel silenzio di un canto / Dwelling in a Silent Song by the international company Accademia dell’Incompiuto.

Sunday, July 12 – The Grand Finale

The final day brought even more evocative performances to Cantalupo. The evening commenced with Canti per Allen Ginsberg by the compelling singer-actress Felicita Marcelli. Finally, Piazza Garibaldi welcomed actor and playwright Denis Campitelli, whose theatrical monologue L’ultimo dei Primi brought the festival to a triumphant close.

A Note on the Inspiration Behind Cantico The festival’s beautiful poster was designed by artist Stefania Pochesci. The concept itself stems from the creative mind of Anna Redi (also known for her Dance Your Age format, which explores the joy of movement for all stages of life). Anna, who divides her time between Rome’s Testaccio neighborhood and the medieval village of Casperia, drew inspiration for the festival’s title from the sweeping chattering of swallows at dawn.

When asked what fuels her fierce determination to keep regenerating Cantico year after year, Anna often shares a brief video from a previous edition. In the clip, while an orchestra plays in the square, a tiny majorette from Casperia’s historic musical band stands up among the seated crowd. She begins to improvise a perfectly timed choreography, spinning a tiny baton around her body with absolute confidence. Watching her from behind, she wields the baton like a magic wand. It makes you wonder if this little majorette wasn’t the true architect behind the “spell” that brought the festival its well-deserved public funding this year, celebrating years of passionate teamwork. ( Words by Arianna Ninchi)

Festival Program

Friday, July 10 | Casperia

  • 18:30 – Porta Reatina | Workshop Hamlet with the students of MAB Academy
  • 20:00 – Piazza San Giovanni | Simone Weil by Ilaria Drago

Saturday, July 11 | Cantalupo

  • 11:00 – Chiesa di Sant’Adamo | Anima Loci (Sacred Music Concert)
  • 18:00 – Parco Camuccini | Impro Performance by Luna Cenere
  • 19:00 – Parco Camuccini | Dwelling by the international company Accademia dell’Incompiuto

Sunday, July 12 | Cantalupo

  • 19:00 – Cantalupo | Canti per Allen Ginsberg by Felicita Marcelli
  • 21:00 – Piazza Garibaldi | L’ultimo dei Primi by Denis Campitelli

Official Acknowledgments

A profound thank you goes out to all the extraordinary artists who transformed this festival into an unforgettable, deeply moving experience:

Luna Cenere (Venice Biennale 2023), Cromo collettivo artistico, Mario Biagini & Accademia dell’Incompiuto, Kyungmi Lee (Propaganda Live), Massimiliano Civica (Director of Teatro Metastasio), Claudia Pelliccia (Julien Hamilton Company), Giovanni Calcagno, Denis Campitelli (Teatro due Mondi), Tito Rinesi, Jazz Friends, and Linda Martinelli (Chiaradanza).