Great music is always the protagonist in Ticino: among the many valuable cultural initiatives of the Canton, the new 2025/26 season of the The Barocchisti e of the Swiss Radio and Television Choir (RSI)The year that opens has a particular value: it celebrates two fundamental stages, the 90 years of the RSI Choir and 30 years of the ensemble founded and directed by Diego Fasolis.
The program, officially presented in Lugano, offers a mosaic of major concerts ranging from the masterpieces of Bach, Haydn, and Mozart to the Renaissance influences of Palestrina, and contemporary creations by Ticino composers. Overall, the season consists of 14 productions and 24 events , designed to blend tradition and innovation, with a particular focus on cultural mediation.
The program also fits into a context of transformation for public radio and television: as the president of the I Barocchisti Association, Bernardino Regazzoni, noted, institutional support remains crucial, alongside new forms of private funding.
The musical offerings aren't limited to longtime fans, however. "Barockissimo!" , a program conceived by Fasolis himself, launches an educational project for young people, bringing an introductory journey into the history of music to various cities in Italian-speaking Switzerland.
Program of major concerts 2025/26
ANTEPRIMA
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Saturday, July 26, 2025, 18:30 PM – Cebbia Power Plant, Mesocco
“Seasons at the Zoo” Festival
Vivaldi, The four Seasons
The Baroqueists, Duilio Galfetti violin, Diego Fasolis direction -
Saturday, September 6, 2025, 20:30 PM – Church of San Germano Vescovo, Varzi
Varzi Festival
Vivaldi, Vivaldi, in Furore!
The Baroqueists, Lucia Cirillo mezzosoprano, Diego Fasolis direction -
Sunday, September 7, 2025, 20:30 PM – Church of San Giovanni, Mendrisio
Servite Concert Festival
Vivaldi, Vivaldi, in Furore!
The Baroqueists, Lucia Cirillo mezzosoprano, Diego Fasolis direction -
Friday, September 12, 2025 – LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, Hall
Celebrations for the 10th anniversary of the LAC
Bach, Six Brandenburg Concertos
Gabrieli, Magnificat three-choir
Scarlatti, Te Deum double choir
RSI Choir, I Barocchisti, directed by Diego Fasolis
Big concerts in the season
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Thursday, October 2, 2025, 20:00 PM – Teatro Dal Verme, Milan
Mozart, Requiem in D minor K626
RSI Choir, I Pomeriggi Musicali Orchestra, Diego Fasolis conducting -
Thursday, November 6, 2025, 20:30 PM – Stelio Molo RSI Auditorium, Lugano
Sirens and Soldiers – music by Uccellini, Marini, Scheidt, Schmelezer
Ensemble Concerto Scirocco, Giulia Genini conducting -
Saturday, December 20, 2025 – Church of Saints Nazario and Celso, Airolo
The Prince of Music – Palestrina (500 years since his birth)
RSI Choir, Diego Fasolis conducting -
Sunday, December 21, 2025, 17:00 PM – Collegiate Church, Bellinzona
The Prince of Music – Palestrina
RSI Choir, Diego Fasolis conducting -
Saturday, January 31, 2026, 20:30 PM – Stelio Molo RSI Auditorium, Lugano
Le Dialogue de Titan et des Grâces – recital by Luca Pianca (theorbo) -
Saturday, February 21, 2026 – LAC Sala Teatro, Lugano
Haydn, The Creation (first Swiss performance of Giuseppe Carpani's Italian version)
RSI Choir, I Barocchisti, directed by Diego Fasolis -
Friday, March 20, 2026, 20:00 PM – Teatro Dal Verme, Milan (repeated Sunday, March 22, 17:00 PM)
Mozart, Mass in C minor K427
RSI Choir, I Pomeriggi Musicali Orchestra, Diego Fasolis conducting -
From April 1 to 4, 2026 – Collegiate Church, Bellinzona
Requiem in tempore belli – new opera with nine Ticino composers
RSI Choir, Orchestra of Italian Switzerland, Diego Fasolis conducting
Barockissimo! – A festival for schools (ages 9-15)
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Tuesday, January 13, 2026 – Municipal Theater, Chiasso
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Friday, January 16, 2026 – Teatro Sociale, Bellinzona
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Date to be determined – Middle School Aula Magna, Faido
A season between tradition and future
Artistic Director Diego Fasolis described the season as a "bridge to the future," reaffirming the centrality of the RSI Choir and I Barocchisti in Swiss and international musical life. From the majesty of the Brandenburg Concertos to the Swiss premiere of Haydn's Creation in Italian , via the new Requiem in tempore belli , the entire program promises to be an exploration of music that "heals and unites."
