Church weddings in the province of Catania: a town-by-town guide

The province of Catania is made of lava stone and baroque, of towns clinging to Etna and villages by the sea. Maestro Ilarion, tenor and pianist, has sung in almost all of its churches, from cathedrals to mountain sanctuaries. This guide, area by area, is for anyone looking for church wedding music in the province of Catania who wants to know what to expect in their own town.

The programme of hymns is always agreed with the parish priest. To choose the pieces for each moment of the Mass, read the guide to church wedding songs; for everything about the city, see the page on the wedding tenor in Catania.

Catania city

Catania. The churches of the baroque centre, from piazza Duomo to via Crociferi: large, resonant spaces where an operatic voice finds its natural home. In the neighbourhoods, from Ognina to the Borgo, parishes offer more intimate weddings, often with the community choir.

The Etna belt near the city

Gravina di Catania, Mascalucia, San Giovanni la Punta, San Gregorio, Tremestieri Etneo, Sant'Agata li Battiati, Misterbianco, Motta Sant'Anastasia. The towns rising from the city towards Etna, today almost a single city. Large, lively communities: many people from Catania marry here, with receptions in the villas of the area.

Valverde, Aci Bonaccorsi, Aci Sant'Antonio, Aci Catena, Viagrande, Trecastagni, Pedara. Towns of ancient devotion and pilgrimage, such as Valverde and Trecastagni. Weddings with an old-world flavour, where sacred music is awaited and listened to.

The Cyclops riviera and Acireale

Aci Castello and Aci Trezza. The Norman castle on the sea, the Cyclops sea stacks, the village of the Malavoglia. Fishing-village weddings and receptions with a sea view: here the same voice often accompanies both the ceremony and the celebration.

Acireale. One of the capitals of Sicilian baroque, with splendid churches much sought after for weddings and acoustics that reward an operatic voice.

Santa Venerina, Riposto, Giarre, Mascali, Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, Calatabiano. The Ionian coast towards Taormina. Giarre is the heart of the riviera; Riposto has its harbour and fishing traditions; in Calatabiano the castle overlooks the mouth of the Alcantara.

The towns of Etna

Nicolosi, Belpasso, Ragalna, Camporotondo Etneo, San Pietro Clarenza. The gateways to Etna on its southern side. Lava stone and squares where the celebration carries on after Mass.

Zafferana Etnea, Milo, Sant'Alfio. The eastern side, among vineyards and woods. Zafferana is one of the best-loved places for weddings with a countryside reception.

Linguaglossa, Castiglione di Sicilia, Randazzo, Maletto, Maniace. The northern side, land of wine and medieval villages. Randazzo, built of lava stone, is one of the island's finest medieval villages; Castiglione is a hilltop village above the Alcantara valley.

Bronte, Adrano, Biancavilla, Santa Maria di Licodia, Paternò. The western side. Bronte is the town of pistachios; Adrano and Paternò have Norman castles. Big family weddings.

The Calatino and the plain

Caltagirone. The town of ceramics and of the great stairway, with its UNESCO-listed baroque. One of the most elegant places in the province for a wedding.

Grammichele, Mineo, Vizzini, Licodia Eubea, Militello in Val di Catania, Palagonia, Scordia. Grammichele with its hexagonal plan, Militello, a baroque jewel of the Val di Noto, Vizzini, Verga's village: towns where the nuptial Mass is a community event.

Ramacca, Castel di Iudica, Raddusa, Mirabella Imbaccari, San Michele di Ganzaria, San Cono, Mazzarrone. The farming hinterland, among hills and wheat fields, with the parish at the centre of village life.

Stories from the province of Catania

• Wedding planner in Catania: a tenor in church and at the villa
• Wedding gift in Catania: a tenor in church and at the reception
• Ave Maria at a wedding in Catania: the witnesses' gift
• Musicians for wedding in Catania: golden wedding in church
• Wedding flash mob Catania: surprise for the newlyweds
• Hail Mary wedding gift for newlyweds: tenor in Sicily
• Tenor for church wedding in Sicily | Wedding gift
• Wedding singer in church: a gift from friends

What couples say

Testimonials translated from Italian.

Corrado's enchanting voice made my wedding magical, both in church and during dinner. He moved everyone with his intense performances, and then got us dancing, singing and having fun with his always elegant and friendly manner. Thank you so much for making our day even more unforgettable.

Avv. Bernadette Mazzú

An astonishing voice. He sang at my wedding and I can only say thank you: he moved everyone and, with his singing, helped make my special day perfect.

Emanuele Basile

We have worked together on several occasions, both performing at weddings and religious services and composing pieces for special occasions such as a Jubilee Hymn. Always a pleasant and kind person, with his voice and the intensity of his interpretation, which combines passion, heart and technique, he always warms the hearts of those who listen. Bravo!

Francesco Lipari, pianista e direttore di coro

Read all testimonials

Would you like to hear the voice that will sing in your church?

Listen to Maestro Ilarion live in church. Then send us the town, the church and the date: he almost certainly knows it already.