The Guildhall Singers Concert Tour
Sicily 2026
The late spring light of eastern Sicily has a particular quality: honeyed in Ortigia’s narrow lanes, dazzling against the lava-stone grandeur of Catania, and softening towards evening above the terraces of Taormina. It provided an unforgettable backdrop to the recent tour by the Guildhall Singers, whose journey proved as much about friendship and hospitality as it was about music-making.
The choir’s first concert, in the atmospheric Chiesa di San Filippo Apostolo, brought together the Guildhall Singers and the distinguished Coro Discantus di Siracusa. Beneath the cool stone vaults of the church, repertoire moved seamlessly between sacred reflection and early madrigals, united by a shared conviction frequently voiced throughout the tour: music unites. Warm thanks were due to the Padre of San Filippo Apostolo for so generously welcoming the visiting choir into the heart of the Ortigian community.
Coro Discantus and The Guildhall Singers
That spirit continued in Catania, where the choir sang in the remarkable Chiesa di San Benedetto alongside Coro Polifonico San Marco. The extraordinary acoustics of the church lent glow and clarity to both choirs, while the gracious hospitality of the Benedictine nuns created an occasion of genuine warmth and serenity. Central to the success of both concerts was the wonderful collaboration between conductors. The Guildhall Singers’ Maestro, Andrés Hernández-Salazar was welcomed by the generous artistry of Maestri Salvatore Sampieri and Pietro Valguarnero. Their willingness to share not only the concert platform, but also musical insight and friendship embodied the finest traditions of choral exchange.
Coro Polifonico San Marco and The Guildhall Singers
Yet tours are shaped as much between performances as upon the stage. Guided explorations of Ortigia, Catania and Taormina with Anna, her husband Francesco, Pamela and Chiara revealed Sicily in all its layered richness: Baroque façades scorched gold by the sun, bustling markets scented with citrus and sea salt, and dramatic coastal vistas beneath Mount Etna’s watchful presence.
Evenings were punctuated by memorable meals and impromptu singing and music at Trattoria La Paglia, Trattoria Giglio Rosso and Scuola Alimentare Ristorante, where conversation and laughter flowed as readily as the local wine. Breakfasts at Caffe Trombetta made for convivial post mortems of the previous day! Special thanks were owed to Francesco, Esther and the many others in Sicily whose quiet efficiency and generosity transformed the tour into something rather more meaningful than a sequence of concerts and tours. Thanks are also due to Andres and Clare who did so much to ensure that we were well practised and well informed in advance of our visit.
The Guildhall Singers returned home carrying not only memories of remarkable performances, magnificent architecture and extraordinary history, but also a profound sense of having been embraced with exceptional kindness. It is little wonder that the choir already hopes to reciprocate that welcome and, before too long, return to Sicily once again.
SB
New friends in music....
To our friends in Coro Polifonoco San Marco
Thank you for making our visit to Italy so very special. The music we created together was magical and made even more so by singing in the extraordinarily beautiful Church of San Benedetto. We will probably never sing anywhere quite so breathtaking again!
We would also like to thank you for your many kindnesses and for your generosity in creating the incredible plaque with such inspiring words and also for the badges and the gifts of Sicilian food presented to each member of the choir.
We send our best wishes to the sisters of San Benedetto and thank them for extending the invitation to us - it was an honour to sing for them.
The joy of meeting and singing with you will be forever in our memories.
We hope we will have the opportunity to meet you all again one day.
Grazie di cuore, anche per noi è stata una indimenticabile esperienza. Lo rifaremo con tanto piacere per l’amore infinito per la musica. Un abbraccio a voi tutti.
Mº Sampieri from Coro Discantus
"Thank you so much; it was an unforgettable experience for us too. We'll be happy to do it again because of our infinite love for music We embrace you all"
The Guildhall Singers Coro Polifonico San MarcoMusic creates Friendships Church of San Benedetto, Via Cruciferi, Catania
With deep gratitude and friendship to The Guildhall Singers "In the land of Bellini, your singing has united our souls, transforming music into a boundless embrace.”
The Director - Coro Polifonico San Marco May 2, 2026 Catania, Church of San Benedetto
É stata una serata indimenticabile e voglio ringraziarti anche a nome di tutto il nostro Coro per la vostra impeccabile performance, siete stati bravissimi é la Tua direzione é stata coinvolgente e
passionale. Grande emozione e gioia in turri i cuori.
Pippo Napolitano, President of Coro Polifonico San Marco
"It was an unforgettable evening, and I want to thank you on behalf of our entire choir for your impeccable performance. You were brilliant, and your direction was engaging and passionate. Great emotion and joy fills everyone's hearts."
And last, but very much not least - very many thanks to Francesco and his wife, Lucia for all the work behind the scenes in Catania to make our visit run so smoothly. The wonderful accommodation, the delicious meals, the transport, and the unforgettable dancing in the street with Maestro Salazar!!
Gallery
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 TGS and supporters waiting for the bus to Ortigia |  The beautiful ceiling of the Monastero San Benedetto |  After the concert - Monastero San Benedetto |
 Exterior of the Monastero San Benedetto |