Church wedding musicians on Lake Como

For two centuries Lake Como has been one of Europe's most elegant destinations: historic villas with gardens running down to the water, mountains reflected in the lake, villages gathered around ancient bell towers. Marrying here means choosing a quiet, understated elegance. If you are looking for church wedding musicians on Lake Como, Maestro Ilarion, tenor, sings the Ave Maria and the nuptial Mass chants in the churches around the lake, together with the parish organist and choir.

Picture arriving at church by boat

Picture a June morning, the lake still and silver. The bride steps onto a polished wooden motorboat at the villa's jetty. The trip takes only a few minutes, but it feels like a film: villas gliding past on the shore, mountains still veiled in mist, the water opening behind the boat.

At the Bellagio jetty her father and the first guests are waiting. They walk up the steep lanes to the Basilica of San Giacomo, Romanesque, stone, intimate. The Maestro has agreed the programme with the parish priest and the organist. When the bride walks in, the tenor's voice fills the nave naturally, as if the church had been built for that voice.

During Mass, light comes through the windows and rests on the ancient columns. Then the bride brings flowers to the Madonna, and the Ave Maria begins. Guests from Milan, London and New York, who have seen everything, fall silent. Someone closes their eyes.

Outside, the bells ring across the lake. Everyone returns by boat to the reception villa. During the crossing, the groom holds the bride's hand and says nothing. There is no need.

The music of the nuptial Mass

• Bride's entrance, with a piece chosen with you.
• Alleluia and liturgical chants, agreed with the parish priest and the organist.
• Offertory and communion: Panis Angelicus, Ave Verum or other sacred chants.
• Ave Maria by Schubert, Gounod or Caccini.
• Recessional with a joyful piece.
• On request, a surprise choir of friends and family, prepared by the Maestro.

Lake Como churches, shore by shore

In Como: Como Cathedral, one of the finest cathedrals in northern Italy, and the Basilica of Sant'Abbondio.

On the western shore: Cernobbio, Moltrasio, Laglio, Brienno, Argegno, Sala Comacina, Ossuccio with the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Soccorso, Lenno with the Church of Santo Stefano and views of Villa del Balbianello, Tremezzo near Villa Carlotta, Griante, Cadenabbia, Menaggio, Domaso and Gravedona.

On the eastern shore and mid-lake: Torno, Blevio, Nesso, Bellagio with the Basilica of San Giacomo, Varenna with the Church of San Giorgio, Bellano and Lecco.

The Maestro also sings elsewhere in Italy: if you are considering other destinations for a luxury wedding, see the pages on Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast.

From the church to the reception

Maestro Ilarion is a tenor and pianist: after the ceremony he can accompany the terrace aperitif and the villa reception with elegant live music.

Where to find wedding musicians near Lake Como

If you are looking for professional wedding musicians near Lake Como, Maestro Ilarion, tenor and pianist, sings in person all around Lake Como: Como, Cernobbio, Tremezzo, Menaggio, Bellagio, Varenna and Lecco. In church, whether it is Como Cathedral or the Basilica of San Giacomo in Bellagio, a single musician brings voice and organ to the whole celebration, and the pieces are agreed with the parish priest.

Live wedding music does not stop at the church: voice and piano can also accompany the aperitif, dinner and first dance, in the villa, from the aperitif on the terrace to dinner. To choose calmly, read the guide Live wedding music: how to find professional musicians.

Surprise flash mob on Lake Como

Friends and family can prepare a surprise choir for the couple: Maestro Ilarion creates the sung flash mob on Lake Como, writes the parts, leads rehearsals remotely too and arranges things with the parish priest. He also organises flash mobs for marriage proposals, anniversaries, birthdays, companies and events: read the guide Sung flash mob organiser.

For your date, fill in the request for church ceremony music.

Getting married somewhere else? Here are all the places where I sing, from Sicily to Lake Como.