Sacred Voices, a prominent Rome-based choir, is scheduled to perform a series of special concerts at six parishes in Manhattan, Westchester, and Long Island in August. Organizers say, however, that it’s more than a concert tour; it’s a “profound spiritual and artistic journey, a tribute to the power of sacred music in glorifying God and touching the hearts of all who listen.”

Made up of professional singers coming from qualified musical institutions including the Papal Sistine Chapel Choir and the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (National Academy of St. Cecilia) in Rome, the Sacred Voices Choir has recorded four albums and performed concerts around the world, including a memorable performance offered to the Holy Father Benedict XVI in the Sistine Chapel in June of 2006.

Sacred Voices is the choir of the Cardinal Bartolucci Foundation, based in Rome and named after the maestro and late conductor of the Sistine Chapel Choir. The Bartolucci foundation is organizing the concert tour in conjunction with Reclaiming Christendom, a New York-based non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Christian arts and culture in the United States and abroad. (Cardinal Bartolucci died in 2013 at age 96. He was conductor of the Sistine Chapel Choir from 1956 to 1997.)

Father Christopher Monturo, pastor at Sacred Heart-Our Lady of Pompeii Parish, Dobbs Ferry (one of the parishes included in the tour), said the occasion is “a very important moment for (the parish) and the wider Dobbs Ferry and Westchester County community. The visit of these distinguished musicians connects our parish church to the Mother Church of our faith in Rome at Saint Peter’s Basilica. Their presence also makes a closer connection for all of us to our beloved Holy Father Pope Leo XIV.” 

Sacred Voices, with about 40 men and women, performs the polyphony of the Roman School — a tradition dating back to the Renaissance, known for its pure vocal style. Joined by the pope’s personal organist (Josep Solé Coll), organizers hope the music “offers a transcendent and unforgettable experience.”

“We are an Italian entity (not Vatican). The choir is composed of professional singers coming from important choirs in Rome and the Vatican,” Alessandro Biciocchi, executive director, Fondazione Cardinale Domenico Bartolucci, Rome, said via email last week to The Good Newsroom.

“This is the first time for Sacred Voices in New York City after our tour to Chicago in 2022. For us it’s a great chance to promote our repertoire and in particular the music of Maestro Cardinal Domenico Bartolucci who conducted the Sistine Chapel Choir for over 40 years. Also, during the Jubilee Year it’s a great way and chance to connect Rome and New York in the common praise to the Lord through our voices! I am sure the American audience will be amazed and thrilled by our concerts!” Biciocchi said.

He added that the choir’s goal “is to spread the beauty of the sacred music (Gregorian chant and polyphony) written to be performed in the solemn liturgical celebrations with the popes over the centuries. We have inherited the artistic legacy of Maestro Bartolucci, and we are proud to spread the tradition of the Roman School and the works of this great composer in the world. We are all very excited for this important series of concerts.”

The concert tour, with 75-minute performances, is scheduled as follows:

St. Jean Baptiste Church, Manhattan, August 4 at 7 p.m.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Manhattan, August 5 at 7 p.m.

Sacred Heart Church, Dobbs Ferry, August 6 at 7 p.m.

St. Joseph’s Church, Bronxville, August 8 at 7 p.m.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, Melville, Long Island, August 9 at 7 p.m.

St. Paul the Apostle Church, Brookville, Long Island, August 10 at 5 p.m.

“The maestro of the choir is Adriano Caroletti, and the organist (Solé Coll) is considered one of the top organists in the world; these are some of the finest singers in the world,” Justin Kurian, founder and president of Reclaiming Christendom, told The Good Newsroom in a July 7 phone interview. “And they’re going to be in New York. It’s very exciting.”

For more information about the Sacred Voices tour and the Reclaiming Christendom initiative, visit: 

Reclaiming Christendom – Reviving Christian Faith in Modern Times  

Sacred Voices – Bringing Sacred Music to the World.