The 11th International Festival of Sacred Music and Art will be hosted in Rome’s and the Vatican’s churches: the Baroque Basilica di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola in Campo Marzio (Basilica of St Ignatius Loyola at Campus Martius), the Basilica di Santa Maria in Aracoeli (Basilica of St Mary of the Altar of Heaven) on Capitol Hill, and Rome’s largest Marian church, the Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore (Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major).

This year’s festival brings together outstanding artists, first and foremost, the Festival’s Orchestra-in-Residence, the Vienna Philharmonic, in performances of sacred music within the extraordinary setting of Rome’s Patriarchal Basilicas.

The festival is aimed at sensitizing the public to the activities of the Foundation for Sacred Music and Art, which raises funds for the restoration of religious artefacts and buildings that belong to all mankind.

The Foundation will support the restoration projects on the western façade of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. This restoration is urgent because breaks and water infiltrations cause the risk of elements breaking down or of damages in the Basilica’s interior.

The festival runs from 2 to 13 November.