Schola Cantorum A.M. Abbatini, Umbria

The Schola Cantorum “Anton Maria Abbatini”, founded in 1931 at the wish of Blessed Carlo Liviero, has accompanied the liturgical life of the Cathedral of Città di Castello for over 90 years, preserving and renewing a musical tradition that spans the centuries. Alongside its liturgical service, the choir has developed an intense artistic activity, performing in concert repertoires ranging from Gregorian chant to contemporary works, and over the years has tackled masterpieces by Fauré, Bach, Mozart, Duruflé, Rutter, Gjeilo, as well as world premieres: Missa Brevis by Roberto Tofi (2018), the Italian premiere of Stabat Mater by Paul Mealor (2022), the oratorio Le Stimmate by Fr. Giuseppe Magrino OFM Conv. (2024), the tribute opera to Piero della Francesca Nel Vento Invisibile by Roberto Tofi (2025), and the modern premiere of Vespro S. Mariæ Magdalenæ Pœnitentis, including previously unpublished works by Palestrina and Abbatini (2025).
It is also strongly committed to cultural dialogue: from collaborations with the Festival delle Nazioni, the Alberto Burri Foundation, the National Gallery of Umbria, musicologists Galliano Ciliberti and Thomas Neal, Italian and international musical ensembles, symphony and chamber orchestras, to special projects with artists such as Nicola Piovani, Fra Alessandro Brustenghi, and the writer Antonio Moresco. There have also been ventures into modern music, such as concerts dedicated to Queen and Fabrizio De André.
Attentive to the creation of new works for the liturgy, the Schola has commissioned and performed original compositions connected to the life of the diocese. Today, under the direction of Maestro Alessandro Bianconi, with vocal preparation by Emanuela Agatoni, it continues to combine musical research, community service, and an artistic vocation that looks to the future without losing its roots.