The Prince of Music

The year 2025 marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525–1594), a towering figure in Renaissance music and sacred polyphony. His oeuvre set the benchmark for European choral composition across centuries, transcending the liturgical framework in which it was conceived to embody a universal language of beauty and spirituality - one that continues to inspire and elevate audiences today.
The Coro della Radiotelevisione svizzera, which will celebrate its 90thanniversary in 2026, has long been a beacon in the dissemination of choral music and a distinguished interpreter of early polyphony. Under the artistic direction of Diego Fasolis, an internationally acclaimed specialist in early music, the Coro RSI has earned recognition for its performances and recordings of Palestrina’s works, contributing to the preservation and renewed relevanceof his musical legacy.
This commemorative event offers the public a rare opportunity to experience the grandeur of Palestrina’s art, while also paying tribute to the enduring excellence of our ensemble. The programme features a concert at the Church of San Vitale in Chiasso, preceded by an introductory lecture at the Cinema Teatro. Designed as a listening guide, the lecture will illuminate the breadth and depth of Palestrina’s genius, enriching the audience’s appreciationof his timeless contribution to the choral tradition.