Musicians for church music in Messina and its province

The province of Messina also includes an archipelago: the Aeolian Islands, seven volcanic islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea, a World Heritage Site. Marrying here means bringing your guests to a place where time slows down. But it also means organising every detail carefully, starting with the music. If you are looking for musicians for church music for a wedding in Messina and its province, on the islands too, Maestro Ilarion, tenor, brings live sacred music to your ceremony.

A wedding on the island

Think of the day before the wedding. In Milazzo the guests board the hydrofoil with their suitcases and garment bags. During the crossing someone looks out: there is Vulcano, with its smell of sulphur, then Lipari with its castle by the sea.

The ceremony is at the Cathedral of San Bartolomeo, on top of the rock of Lipari, within the ancient walls of the Castle. You reach it by climbing a long stairway. From up there you can see the harbour, the boats, the other islands on the horizon.

On an island, musicians cannot improvise: they arrive on the same boat as the guests, test the church acoustics, coordinate with the local organist. When the bride walks in, the tenor's voice fills the cathedral, and those who came from the other side of the world understand why the journey was worth it.

For the Ave Maria the afternoon light comes through the windows. Outside, the sea is deep blue. Afterwards, the couple walk down the stairway to applause, and in the evening everyone dines by the harbour as the sun sets behind Salina.

Other couples choose Salina, with the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Terzito in the valley between the two mountains, surrounded by malvasia vineyards and capers. Or the churches of Panarea and Stromboli, small and white by the sea.

How church music is organised on the islands

• The programme is agreed in advance with the island's parish priest.
• The tenor travels by hydrofoil or ferry and arrives before the ceremony to rehearse.
• The local organist accompanies the liturgy, if available.
• Timings take into account boat schedules and the weather.

Church music in Messina and throughout the province

The Maestro sings for weddings, baptisms, anniversaries and vow renewals throughout the province:

• Aeolian Islands: Lipari, Canneto, Salina (Santa Marina, Malfa, Leni, Lingua), Vulcano, Panarea, Stromboli, Filicudi and Alicudi.
• Messina city: the Cathedral, Montalto, the villages of Ganzirri, Torre Faro, Mortelle and Pace.
• Tyrrhenian coast: Milazzo, Capo Milazzo, Tindari, Patti, Oliveri, Falcone, Gioiosa Marea, Brolo, Piraino, Capo d'Orlando, Sant'Agata di Militello, Santo Stefano di Camastra.
• Ionian coast: Taormina, Letojanni, Savoca, Santa Teresa di Riva, Roccalumera, Nizza di Sicilia, Fiumedinisi, Alì Terme.
• Nebrodi and Peloritani: Novara di Sicilia, Montalbano Elicona, Castroreale, San Fratello, Floresta, Tortorici.

See also the page on church wedding musicians in Messina and its province and the one on church music in Fiumedinisi.

After the ceremony

Maestro Ilarion is a tenor and pianist: he can also accompany the dinner and reception with elegant live music, by the harbour or on a terrace over the sea.

Tell us your date with the request for church music.

Looking for wedding musicians near another town? Find yours in the full list of places where I sing.