As part of the program for L’Aquila 2026, Italian Capital of Culture, and the *I Cantieri dell’Immaginario* festival, the “B. Barattelli” Concert Society of L’Aquila —on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of its founding—presents the world premiere of the *Missa Pro Pace* for soloists, narrator, choir, and orchestra, a work specially commissioned from Maestro Nicola Piovani, one of the world’s most celebrated composers and pianists and winner of the 1999 Academy Award for Roberto Benigni’s *Life Is Beautiful *.

A secular work structured around the five canonical sections— Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei —concluding with *Dona nobis pacem*, the Missa Pro Pace opens with a Prelude to the Canticle of the Creatures and interweaves the music with readings by Pablo Neruda and Leo Tolstoy, narrated by actress Barbara Ronchi, winner of the David di Donatello Award and a nominee for five consecutive years.

On stage, a world-class cast: soloists Anna Grotto (soprano), Aloisa Aisemberg (mezzo-soprano), Murat Can Güvem (tenor), and Toni Nězić (bass);the Umbrian Philharmonic Orchestra “Vittorio Calamani,” an ensemble composed entirely of musicians under 35; and the Choir of the National Academy of Santa Cecilia in Rome, prepared by Maestro Andrea Secchi. Nicola Piovani himself will conduct. The event will be recorded and broadcast nationwide by RAI Cultura, the evening’s official media partner.

Tickets are available at www.ciaotickets.com.