Funeral musicians in Syracuse
In Syracuse devotion to Saint Lucy and to the Madonna delle Lacrime stays with many families even in their hardest moments. At the funeral of a loved one, a sung prayer can say what words cannot. Maestro Ilarion, tenor and pianist, accompanies the whole funeral Mass, singing and playing the organ.
Ortigia, the city and the Val di Noto
The Cathedral in Ortigia, the sanctuary of the Madonna delle Lacrime, the basilica of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro and the neighbourhood parishes; then Floridia, Augusta, Lentini, and to the south Avola, Noto with its Cathedral, Pachino. Every church has its own rules and its own organ: the Maestro arrives before the celebration to agree everything with the priest.
An example
Imagine a family who wish to say goodbye to their grandmother with the Ave Maria she used to sing at Mass every Sunday. The priest prefers it to be sung after communion: the Maestro prepares it for that moment, and accompanies the rest of the celebration with the chants of the liturgy. A simple choice, agreed with a phone call the day before.
The repertoire
Liturgical chants, the Ave Maria by Schubert or Gounod, Panis Angelicus and pieces chosen by the family, if the priest allows it. Moment by moment, in the guide to church funeral songs.
Also near Syracuse
Ortigia, Noto, Avola, Floridia, Augusta, Lentini, Pachino and the other towns of the province.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does he sing at funerals in Noto and Avola too?
Yes, throughout the province of Syracuse and the Val di Noto, with at least 24 hours' notice.
At what moment is the Ave Maria sung?
The parish priest decides: usually after communion or at the end of Mass, before the final commendation.
Does the Maestro try the organ before the funeral?
Yes: he arrives at the church before the celebration to agree everything with the priest and prepare the instrument.