Organ
June 14 – July 4, 2026
Organ Intensive
For Organists in Liturgical and Concert Study
Few organists — however advanced — have trained or performed on a mechanical-action instrument to master the articulation that built the foundation of Western keyboard music. This 3-week intensive in Orvieto closes that gap.
Experience an instrument found almost nowhere else. Train on Italy’s late-Renaissance and early-Baroque organs — smaller, mean-tone tuned, fully mechanical instruments where your finger controls the airflow to every pipe. The touch is the technique.
Learn the articulation that built Western keyboard music. Under Riccardo Bonci, resident organist of the Duomo di Orvieto, work the fine edge between staccato and legato that lets a fugue speak in four distinct voices instead of dissolving into “marmellata” — jelly. This is the foundation Bach drew from Frescobaldi and his contemporaries, and it’s rarely taught with this depth of application anywhere else.
Perform in the setting that shaped this repertoire. Featured lunchtime recital on the Duomo di Orvieto’s 16th-century organ, plus collaborative performances with singers, choirs, and chamber orchestra — in one of Italy’s most iconic medieval cities.
Go beyond technique. Weekly coaching and masterclasses covering historical tuning, rhetorical phrasing (how a lament trembles, how joy stays even), liturgical performance practice, and the artistic and political skills required to hold a Cathedral organ position.
Live it, not just study it. Language classes and festival excursions immerse you in the culture that produced this music.
Organ Faculty
Riccardo Bonci
Artist-Faculty
Resident Organist
Duomo di Orvieto
The Grand Organ of the Duomo
With its intricately carved façade, golden mosaics, and soaring columns, the Duomo di Orvieto stands as one of Italy’s most majestic expressions of Gothic and early Renaissance design. Within this architectural masterpiece resides a rare musical treasure: the cathedral’s historic organ, suspended high above the entrance to the Chapel of the Corporal in the left transept.
Originally constructed between 1583 and 1588, the instrument has been thoughtfully expanded and restored across centuries. Notable updates include the addition of pneumatic transmission in the early 20th century, electrification and a mobile console by Carlo Vegezzi-Bossi in 1911, and a significant enhancement by Libero Rino Pinchi in 1974. These layers of innovation have created an organ of remarkable depth—one that blends historical character with modern versatility.
Today, the instrument features three 61-note manuals, a 32-note pedalboard, and 72 speaking stops across more than 5,500 pipes. It is capable of rendering repertoire from the Renaissance through the Romantic era and beyond, with a tonal breadth that speaks to both tradition and experimentation.
Participants of the Organ Intensive have the rare privilege of rehearsing and performing on this extraordinary instrument. For many, it is not only a technical milestone, but a deeply meaningful artistic encounter—one that becomes a defining part of their time in Orvieto.
The Duomo di Orvieto Organ
A Virtual Tour with Prof. Bonci
Max Reger
Monologue, Op. 63
Max Reger
Präludium, Op. 63 No. 1
Festival Details
What’s Included?
Your festival fee provides a three-week residency in Orvieto designed to support both your artistry and your well-being. Every element—from instruction to housing—has been thoughtfully arranged so you can focus fully on music, culture, and connection.
Artistic Work and Guidance:
At the heart of the residency is music. Participants receive individual lessons, masterclasses, and specialized coachings with faculty, together with Italian language sessions. All Institute classes, including the Communication Group studio course, are part of the curriculum.
Housing and Meals:
Participants are housed in centrally located, double-occupancy apartments, providing a comfortable base within walking distance of rehearsal and performance spaces. Each day begins with breakfast at a local caffè, with additional meals arranged through neighborhood restaurants.
Travel and Shared Experiences:
Private coach transfers are provided from Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Orvieto at the start of the program and at its close. Group travel is also arranged for festival activities, including an excursion to Lago Bolsena—Europe’s largest volcanic lake.
Spaces and Materials for Your Work:
Residency includes access to rehearsal spaces, the Orvieto Musica library, and wireless internet. All required music licensing fees are covered by the festival.
Support in Daily Life:
Health, safety, and cleaning support are provided throughout the stay. City tax and key deposit are included. Participants also enjoy complimentary admission to all Orvieto Musica concerts and events, along with discounts at partner shops in the city.
Professional Recordings:
All festival performances are recorded. High-definition video of individual concerts are available on request, and access to the Orvieto Musica archive is included.
Please note that airfare is not included in your festival fees.
Program Fees
Organ Program + Shared Housing: $4,700
Organ Program + Private Room Upgrade: $5,900
Please note that the above pricing is guaranteed only until March 1, 2026. Enrollments after this date will be subject to additional surcharges.
Bring A Guest
Families and Guests Welcome!
We warmly invite your family, friends, or partners to share in your time in Orvieto—whether for a few days or the full three-week residency. Our guest package includes accommodations and airport transportation from Rome, tailored for stays of one to three weeks.
“La Dolce Vita” Cultural Experience
For guests seeking a deeper cultural immersion, our La Dolce Vita program offers a curated week of Italian language classes, guided excursions, private tastings, artisan workshops, and more—designed to showcase the best of Umbrian life.
Scholarships
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, scholarships are available for the Organ Program and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Priority consideration will be given to applicants who apply before December 1, 2025 December 31, 2025 (Deadline Extended!)
Reserve Your Spot
Submit Your Free Application
Applications for the 2026 Season are due by December 31, 2025
Recording Guidelines: Submit two contrasting works totaling no more than 15 minutes. There are no required pieces, but we encourage variety in style. Recordings should be uploaded to YouTube as unlisted or public. You may include one or two links in your application.
What’s Next?
Upon acceptance into the program, your deposit and Festival Registration Form must be submitted by Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Your final balance will be due by Sunday, March 1, 2026.
An Orvieto Musica chartered bus will transport you from Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to the hilltop town of Orvieto, where you will be welcomed by your apartment hosts. To ensure you can join this transfer, please arrange to arrive at FCO no later than 11:30 AM CET on June 14. For your return, please book departing flights no earlier than 12:30 PM CET on July 4, to accommodate the return bus from Orvieto to the airport.
Full travel and arrival guidance can be found in the OM Portal, your go-to resource for important dates, forms, and planning tools for the upcoming season.