Beyond Words

The perfect soundtrack for moments that never come again

Church wedding musicians in Messina and its province

The province of Messina is perhaps the most varied in Sicily: the city on the Strait, the Tyrrhenian coast with Milazzo and Tindari, the Ionian coast with Taormina and Savoca, the villages of the Nebrodi and Peloritani mountains, and the Aeolian Islands. Every place has its churches, and every church its own voice. If you are looking for church wedding musicians in Messina and its province, Maestro Ilarion, tenor, sings the Ave Maria and the nuptial Mass chants throughout the area, together with the parish organist and choir.

Picture noon in Piazza Duomo

Picture arriving in Piazza Duomo in Messina a few minutes before noon. Guests gather in front of the Fountain of Orion, and everyone looks up at the bell tower. On the stroke of twelve the astronomical clock comes to life: the lion roars, the rooster crows, the figures parade. Guests from abroad stand open-mouthed. It is the most spectacular welcome a city can give a wedding.

Then you enter the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. The nave is wide and bright. The Maestro has agreed the whole programme with the parish priest and the organist. The bride walks in, and the tenor's voice travels across the space to the apse.

In the Mass every chant has its place. And when the Ave Maria comes, in such a large cathedral, something special happens: the voice seems to come from everywhere. The couple look at each other. The bride's mother grips her handbag. The father, who had promised not to cry, loses the bet.

Outside, the Strait sparkles in the sun and Calabria seems a step away. Photos are taken on the steps, then on the seafront, then towards Ganzirri and Torre Faro, where the two seas meet.

The music of the nuptial Mass

The churches of Messina and the towns of the province

In the city, besides the Cathedral, weddings are celebrated at the Sanctuary of Montalto, overlooking Messina from above, at the Church of the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani, an Arab-Norman jewel, at Cristo Re, and in the churches of Ganzirri, Torre Faro and the northern riviera.

On the Tyrrhenian coast: the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna of Tindari, high above the sea and the Marinello lagoons, Milazzo with its old town and castle, Patti, Gioiosa Marea, Capo d'Orlando, Brolo, Sant'Agata di Militello, Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, Castroreale, Rometta, Spadafora, Venetico, Villafranca Tirrena, Oliveri and Falcone.

On the Ionian coast: Taormina, Castelmola, Giardini Naxos, Letojanni, Savoca with the Church of Santa Lucia, Forza d'Agrò, Santa Teresa di Riva, Furci Siculo, Roccalumera, Nizza di Sicilia, Fiumedinisi, Alì Terme and Scaletta Zanclea.

Inland and on the islands: Novara di Sicilia, Montalbano Elicona, Tortorici, and the Aeolian Islands, with Lipari, Salina, Panarea, Vulcano and Stromboli.

From the church to the reception

Maestro Ilarion is a tenor and pianist: after the ceremony he can accompany the aperitif and reception with elegant live music, in villas on the Strait, estates in the Nebrodi or terraces over the sea.

Where to find wedding musicians near Messina

If you are looking for professional wedding musicians near Messina, Maestro Ilarion, tenor and pianist, sings in person in Messina and across the province, from Milazzo and Tindari on the Tyrrhenian coast to Savoca and Taormina on the Ionian. In church, whether it is Messina Cathedral or the Sanctuary of Montalto, 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 estates of the Nebrodi or on terraces by the sea. To choose calmly, read the guide Live wedding music: how to find professional musicians.

Surprise flash mob in Messina

Friends and family can prepare a surprise choir for the couple: Maestro Ilarion creates the sung flash mob in Messina, writes the parts, leads rehearsals remotely too and arranges things with the parish priest. There is also a page on the wedding flash mob in Messina. 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.

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

What this story teaches

Messina is a city that has been destroyed and rebuilt, more than once. Its churches bear the marks of this history: they were raised again stone by stone by people who refused to give up.

A marriage, too, is something built to last. Sacred music reminds the couple that they are not building alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which churches in Messina can you get married in?

In Messina weddings are celebrated at the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the Sanctuary of Montalto, the Church of the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani, Cristo Re and in village churches such as Ganzirri and Torre Faro. Each parish has its own rules, so contact it in good time.

Does the tenor also sing in Tindari, Milazzo and the Aeolian Islands?

Yes. Maestro Ilarion sings throughout the province of Messina: on the Tyrrhenian coast from Milazzo to Tindari and Capo d'Orlando, on the Ionian coast from Taormina to Savoca, and on the Aeolian Islands too.

Which musicians do you need for a church wedding in Messina?

Usually a solo voice and the organ. Maestro Ilarion, tenor, sings with the parish organist and, if you wish, the choir. The programme is always agreed with the parish priest.

Can we marry in Savoca, in the Godfather church?

In Savoca the Church of Santa Lucia, made famous by The Godfather, is much requested for weddings. Availability must be checked with the parish. Maestro Ilarion is happy to sing there too.

Can the music continue at the reception?

Yes. Maestro Ilarion is a tenor and pianist and can accompany the aperitif and reception with live music, on the Strait, in the Nebrodi or by the sea.

How do you find wedding musicians near Messina?

To find professional wedding musicians near Messina, it is best to hear them first live or on video, and to ask whether they know the liturgical repertoire and whether they arrange things with the parish priest themselves. Maestro Ilarion sings in Messina and across the province, from Milazzo and Tindari on the Tyrrhenian coast to Savoca and Taormina on the Ionian. Just give your date and church in the request for church ceremony music.

Who organises wedding flash mobs near Messina?

Maestro Ilarion creates and directs sung flash mobs in Messina: he chooses the piece, writes a part for each voice, leads the rehearsals and makes the arrangements with the parish priest. He also prepares flash mobs for proposals, anniversaries, companies and events.

Church weddings in Messina: more pages

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

Every area: church wedding musicians in Sicily and Italy