The fifth appointment of the 2026 “La Musica nel Sacro” festival drew capacity crowds to the historic Abbey of Santa Maria in Follina on August 16, 2026. Presented by Elisa Nadai, the two-hour concert featured performances by the Piccola Orchestra Veneta, honoring the late Istituto Beato Toniolo president Roberto Franceschet.
The Bottom Line
- The Event: The August 16, 2026 concert filled the Abbey of Santa Maria’s pews and overflowed into its historic cloister.
- The Repertoire: Programs bridged Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61, with Venetian baroque masterpieces by Antonio Vivaldi.
- The Tribute: The evening honored Roberto Franceschet, the late president of the Istituto Beato Toniolo, drawing regional leaders and clergy.
Inside the Follina Abbey Triumph
Historic stone walls and modern classical prestige collided on a Sunday afternoon when the Piccola Orchestra Veneta took over the ancient Cistercian abbey in Follina. Every available seat under the basilica’s vaulted ceiling vanished, forcing patrons into the surrounding historic cloister just to catch the acoustics.
Art historian IBT Cristina Chiesura provided historical, religious and artistic framing for the abbey throughout the afternoon, contextualizing the space behind the music.
From Beethoven to Vivaldi: A Generational Showcase
The afternoon’s artistic weight rested on a sharp contrast between classical mastery and baroque expression. The first half of the program spotlighted Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, op. 61.” Twenty-one-year-old violin soloist Lodovico Parravicini handled the demanding score under the baton of his father, maestro, violinista and docente Federico Parravicini.
The second half shifted gears into the Venetian baroque. Maestro concertatore Giancarlo Nadai led the ensemble through Antonio Vivaldi’s “Salve Regina RV 617.” Soprano Iara Ferrari and violinist Carlo Maria Vianello delivered the vocal and instrumental interplay, timed precisely to the days of the Assumption at an abbey dedicated to Santa Maria.
The afternoon concluded with Vivaldi’s Concerto in D major RV 208, “Grosso Mogul,” featuring violin soloist Emanuele Bastanzetti.
| Composer | Piece | Featured Soloists / Conductor |
|---|---|---|
| Ludwig van Beethoven | Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, op. 61 | Lodovico Parravicini (Violin), Federico Parravicini (Conductor) |
| Antonio Vivaldi | Salve Regina RV 617 | Iara Ferrari (Soprano), Carlo Maria Vianello (Violin) |
| Antonio Vivaldi | Concerto in D major RV 208 “Grosso Mogul” | Emanuele Bastanzetti (Violin), Giancarlo Nadai (Conductor) |
Honoring Roberto Franceschet and Looking Ahead
Beyond the technical brilliance of the strings, the day carried profound emotional weight. Memorial tributes centered on Roberto Franceschet, the late president of the Istituto Beato Toniolo who passed away just days prior. Scientific director IBT Marco Zabotti led the remembrance before Franceschet’s widow, Maria Luisa, family members, and local civic leaders.
Institutional figures, including Institute president Annalina Sartori and Follina Mayor Paola Carniello, opened the afternoon alongside the Bishop of Vittorio Veneto, Monsignor Riccardo Battocchio.
With the Follina chapter successfully recorded, “La Musica nel Sacro” looks ahead to its autumn dates. The festival calendar moves next to the Chapel of the Sacred Heart at the Seminary of Vittorio Veneto on September 6, 2026, continuing a multi-month itinerary that brings major classical performance into the region’s sacred architectural landmarks.
