Singing in Sicily, 2026

Sing and Explore the Soul of Sicily

Join us for a 14-day singing and cultural journey through the captivating island of Sicily. You’ll take part in inspiring vocal workshops and enjoy spontaneous pop-up performances in stunning historic settings.

Between singing sessions, we’ll wander through ancient sites and colourful markets, discovering Sicily’s rich history and vibrant local life. Culinary highlights include arancini, pasta alla Norma, and freshly made cannoli — all paired with superb local wines.

With a thoughtful balance of music, relaxation, travel, and exploration, this immersive experience invites you to soak up the rhythm and warmth of Sicily — from the lively streets of Palermo to the baroque beauty of Catania.

Here’s what’s included in your Sicilian singing adventure…

Singing

• Singing with Stuart Davis throughout the full trip
•  Also, singing sessions with Edoardo Matterassi and friends during the last 5 days

Cutural tours

• Visiting the spectacular Teatro di Andromeda
• And Valley of Temples, Agrigentro
• Exploring the ancient town of Enna situated in the centre and highest point of Sicily
• Visiting the beautiful baroque town of Noto
• Visiting the island of Ortigia / Syracusa
• We will attend an Opera in Catania (if available on the date)

 Accommodation

A mix of high standard accommodation in boutique hotels and a 6 day stay in a resort 

• Palermo: 3  Nights staying in a fabulous hotel accommodation in the vibrant city of Palermo
•  2 overnight stays en-route to our resort near the town of Noto (Sciacca & Enna)
•  6 nights in an agriturismo resort in amongst lemon groves situated near the stunning baroque town of Noto
•  2 nights in the exciting town of Catania
•  Doubles, a few singles and some twins are available.
•  An optional single supplement for the entire tour, cost $2300AUD

A great mix of free time, exploring and sessions.

Arrival and Departure 

Arrive: Palermo Airport PMO
Palermo Airport also known as Falcone-Borsellino, the airport is located 35 km from Palermo, the capital city of the Italian island of Sicily.

Transport to our Hotel can be organised in advance.

Departure: Catania–Fontanarossa Airport
It is also known as Vincenzo Bellini Airport, is an international airport 2.3 NM southwest of Catania, the second largest city on the Italian island of Sicily. (It is named after the opera composer Vincenzo Bellini, who was born in Catania.) 

Directors/Maestri

Stuart Davis

Stuart Davis has been directing choirs in Sydney, Australia for 25 years. He also performs in a couple of small groups (The Lounge Quintet). Currently he directs 3 choirs and co-ordinates 3 other choirs in and around Sydney.  Stuart co-directed our 2018, Singing in Italy event and was our primary director of Singing and Sailing in Croatia, 2017, 2019 and 2024 and Singing in Sardinia and Corsica in 2023 and 2025. 

Stuart says, ‘I’m indebted to Tony Backhouse and his very influential choir ‘The Cafe of the Gate of Salvation’.  It was here that I learned how a choir can be a village in itself - a real community, almost a family’.

'Every choir is unique, and everyone gets something special out of it, but the common things are sheer joy, relaxation and community.  It’s very common to hear from members that choir night is the highlight of their week.In fact, many people have trouble sleeping after choir they are so stimulated!' The choirs all perform regularly, always raising money for something or other.  I believe in what I call ‘Double Happiness’ - do what you love but make sure it has some other positive effect somewhere else. Between the choirs, over the years, we have raised over $50,000 for various causes. 

Stuart is a lucky guy - ‘my job gives me immense joy, and I know that every week hundreds of other people are getting a similar dose of happiness.  Plus I know, there are villages in Africa, New Guinea, India and Vanuatu who have classrooms, wells, toilets and books just because we put on a few concerts’.

Edoardo Materassi

BIO: Edoardo Materassi, guitarist, composer, choir director and teacher. 

Edoardo has an impressive log of concerts both in Italy and abroad. His compositions have been performed in Italy, France, Germany, Holland and Australia. 

He has collaborated with musicians and actors such as: Vars Music, Faye Nepon, Luca di Volo, Claudia Bombardella, Annamaria Castelli, Alessandro Lanzoni, Giorgio Guiot, Carlo Pavese, Monica Bauco, Ivano Bini, Zeta Archive, Maurizio Maggiani, Ernesto De Martino Institute, Orchestra AgimusArte, Sunrise Orchestra. He collaborates as a teacher with the Cantascuola di Torino association.

Edoardo teaches harmony, choral exercises, ensemble music and guitar at numerous schools in the province of Florence. He is artistic director of the School of Music of Calenzano and is a member of the artistic commission of the Cori della Toscana Association.

He is passionate about community singing and directs the choirs: Animae Voces, Mulieris Voces, Sesto in Canto, the choir of the "P. Calamandrei "and the choir of the" Cavalcanti "Inferior Middle Schools of Sesto Fiorentino. With the choirs Animae Voces and Mulieris Voces he has been awarded at various competitions. He also directs youth choirs "Na' Ara Vocal Ensemble" and "Menura Vocal Ensemble" and often works with the successful childrens' choir Piccolo coro Melograno from Florence. (piccolocoromelograno.it)  

We have invited Edoardo to work with us as a choir director on multiple singing holiday events in Italy since 2017.

"I'd go anywhere in the world to sing with Edoardo again" Lorraine Melanson

____________________

Tell A Friend