Sacred Voices Choir of the Vatican Performing at St. Raphael Church on June 20th

NAPERVILLE, IL — A remarkable journey from Rome to Illinois will bring the rich tradition of Roman sacred music to local audiences when the Sacred Voices Choir performs at St. Raphael Catholic Church on Saturday, June 20, at 7:30 p.m.

Comprised of 40 singers from some of Rome’s most prestigious Vatican and musical institutions, the choir is led by Pontifical Cantore Adriano Caroletti and will be accompanied by Josep Solè Coll, organist to the Holy Father and St. Peter’s Basilica.

The concert’s repertoire celebrates the great composers of the Sistine Chapel Choir tradition, including Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, widely regarded as the “Prince of Music,” as well as Lorenzo Perosi and Cardinal Domenico Bartolucci, who composed and directed the Pope’s Choir throughout much of the 20th century. Their music has accompanied the solemn liturgies of popes in both the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica and remains among the most treasured works in the Catholic Church’s sacred music heritage.

The Sacred Voices Choir was honored to present the first concert for Pope Leo XIV on June 18, 2025, at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City. The performance coincided with the presentation of a commemorative Vatican stamp and a special CD recording marking the 500th anniversary of Palestrina’s birth. This limited-edition recording will be available for purchase at each concert stop.

The choir has already captivated audiences in the United States, with acclaimed performances in Chicago in 2022 and New York in 2025. American audiences have been inspired by the rare opportunity to experience this sacred musical tradition performed by the very singers who serve in the chapels of Rome and the Vatican.

The tour is organized by the Cardinal Domenico Bartolucci Foundation, dedicated to the legendary maestro who directed the Sistine Chapel Choir for nearly 50 years and was later elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI in recognition of his extraordinary service to the Church.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the beauty and grandeur of Vatican sacred music. The Sacred Voices Choir will perform on Saturday, June 20, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1215 Modaff Road, Naperville, Illinois. For ticket information, please visit st-raphael.org.