Beyond Words

The perfect soundtrack for moments that never come again

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

Maestro Ilarion, tenor and pianist, has sung in almost every church in the province of Messina: cathedrals and sanctuaries, village mother churches, small hamlet churches where there is no organ and the voice must stand on its own. This guide gathers what he has learned, area by area, for anyone looking for church wedding music in the province of Messina: where couples marry, what atmosphere to expect and what to keep in mind for the music.

One rule applies everywhere: every parish has its own customs, and the programme of hymns must be agreed with the priest. To choose the pieces, moment by moment, see our guide to church wedding songs.

Messina and the Strait

Messina. The city on the Strait, with its astronomical clock and the large, solemn churches of its old centre. Wide naves call for a voice that fills the space without forcing: here a live psalm and Ave Maria truly make the difference.

Ganzirri, Torre Faro and the northern villages. Fishing-village churches between the lagoons and the Pylon, where weddings feel intimate and familiar. Smaller spaces and intimate acoustics: ideal for voice and piano, or for a surprise choir of friends.

Villafranca Tirrena, Rometta, Spadafora, Saponara, Venetico, Torregrotta. The towns between the Strait and the Tyrrhenian coast, with churches on the squares and hill villages such as Rometta and its old centre. Many couples living in Messina come back here, to the parish where they grew up.

The Ionian riviera: from Scaletta to Taormina

Scaletta Zanclea, Itala, Alì, Alì Terme, Fiumedinisi. Towns between sea and mountains, with deeply felt patron-saint festivals. In Alì Terme and Itala the Maestro has also given concerts: he knows these communities and their churches.

Nizza di Sicilia, Roccalumera, Furci Siculo, Pagliara, Mandanici. On the coast the churches face the seafront; inland, as in Mandanici, the villages keep old, silent churches. In Roccalumera the Maestro has sung in the parish and with the local choirs.

Santa Teresa di Riva, Savoca, Casalvecchio Siculo, Antillo. Santa Teresa is the heart of the riviera, with large, bright churches. Above it, Savoca is one of the best-loved villages for weddings, suspended above the valley and world-famous as a set of The Godfather. Casalvecchio keeps one of the finest Norman heritages in the province.

Sant'Alessio Siculo, Forza d'Agrò, Gallodoro, Mongiuffi Melia. Forza d'Agrò is a hilltop village of postcard squares and stairways, often chosen by foreign couples. In the smallest villages the churches are intimate and call for discreet music, often just voice and keyboard.

Letojanni, Taormina, Castelmola, Giardini Naxos. The heart of the province's luxury weddings. In Taormina the Maestro also recorded one of his live performances. For details, see the page on the wedding tenor in Taormina.

Alcantara valley and the Peloritani mountains

Francavilla di Sicilia, Motta Camastra, Graniti, Gaggi, Mojo Alcantara, Malvagna, Roccella Valdemone. The villages of the Alcantara gorges, among rivers and lava stone. Village churches with a strong community life: here the parish choir often takes the lead, and the tenor sings the solo moments with it.

Novara di Sicilia, Montalbano Elicona, Floresta, Antillo, Limina, Roccafiorita. Mountain villages, among the most beautiful in Sicily: Montalbano Elicona, with its castle, was voted Italy's "Village of Villages". Intimate weddings, often in summer, when those who left come home to marry.

The Tyrrhenian coast: from Milazzo to Capo d'Orlando

Milazzo, Pace del Mela, San Filippo del Mela, Santa Lucia del Mela. Milazzo, with its castle, is one of the most requested places on the Tyrrhenian side, including for couples heading on to the Aeolian Islands. Santa Lucia del Mela has an old centre full of art.

Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, Castroreale, Terme Vigliatore, Rodì Milici, Furnari, Falcone, Oliveri. Barcellona is a large, lively town; Castroreale, on the hill, is an art town that looks like a small museum.

Patti and Tindari. Patti is the heart of the coast; Tindari, suspended above the sea, is one of the most moving wedding places in Sicily. In a space like this, a live Ave Maria stays in everyone's memory.

Gioiosa Marea, Piraino, Brolo, Capo d'Orlando. The coast of beaches and seaside villages. From Capo d'Orlando the headland looks out towards the Aeolian Islands.

The Nebrodi mountains

Sant'Agata di Militello, Santo Stefano di Camastra, Mistretta, Tortorici, Galati Mamertino, Naso, San Marco d'Alunzio. The Nebrodi are a province within the province: mountain and coastal towns, communities deeply tied to tradition. San Marco d'Alunzio and Mistretta have old centres of great charm; Santo Stefano di Camastra is the town of ceramics. Weddings here are often great village celebrations, and the music in church is their most solemn moment.

The Aeolian Islands

Lipari, Salina, Vulcano, Stromboli, Panarea. Marrying in the Aeolian Islands means carefully organizing ferries, hydrofoils and timetables. Lipari is the largest and liveliest island; on the other islands weddings are intimate and bright, facing the sea. The Maestro also sings in the Aeolians: it's best to fix the date well in advance.

Stories from the province of Messina

What people in the area say about him

Testimonials translated from Italian.

I got to know him and appreciate his singing in the Corale Madre Veronica and in the parish of S. Maria del Carmelo in Roccalumera. I hope there will be future opportunities to work together!

Antonietta

A concert in Alì Terme of a high musical level. Enjoyable for residents and tourists alike.

Alessandro Triolo (Sindaco di Alì Terme)

We chose Corrado to accompany the celebration of our wedding and we are deeply grateful. His voice, intense and full of sensitivity, turned every hymn into a true prayer, helping us and our guests live the sacrament with recollection and emotion. With professionalism, discretion and great faith he made the liturgy even more intense. Heartfelt thanks for giving voice to our prayer on the most beautiful day of our lives.

Ketty

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the tenor sing in village churches in the province of Messina?

Yes. Maestro Ilarion has sung in almost every church in the province of Messina: from the city to the Ionian riviera, from the Tyrrhenian coast to the Nebrodi and the Aeolian Islands. Just give the town, church and date to check availability.

What changes for the music in a small village church?

In small churches the acoustics are intimate and there is often no organ: the voice must be measured and accompanied by a discreet keyboard. It's the ideal setting for the Ave Maria and for a surprise choir of friends, which feels like family there.

Can the tenor sing with the village parish choir?

Yes, and in villages, where the parish choir plays an important role, it's often the loveliest choice. The tenor sings the solo moments, such as the psalm, communion and the Ave Maria, and the choir accompanies the congregation's hymns.

Can you have the tenor at a wedding in the Aeolian Islands?

Yes, the Maestro also sings in the Aeolian Islands, in Lipari and on the other islands. Ferries or hydrofoils and timetables must be organized in advance: it's best to book the date many months ahead.

How far in advance should you book the tenor in the province of Messina?

For dates between May and September it's best to book at least six months ahead, especially in Taormina, Savoca, Tindari and Milazzo, which are in high demand. Smaller villages often allow more flexibility, but it's always better to ask early.

Church weddings in Messina: more pages

Wedding musicians near Messina: Taormina, Fiumedinisi, Giardini Naxos.

Every area: church wedding musicians in Sicily and Italy