Vincent Tharpe & Kenosis: gospel concert at Teatro Cilea, Reggio Calabria

Teatro Francesco Cilea · Reggio Calabria, Costa Viola, Calabria

28 December 2026

On Monday 28 December 2026 at 9 pm, Teatro Cilea in Reggio Calabria hosts a concert by Vincent Tharpe & Kenosis, a gospel group from Memphis led by Vincent Tharpe. The evening, organised by Publidema Eventi Musicali, falls between Christmas and New Year, a few days before the group performs at the Roma Gospel Festival. Tickets are on TicketOne from €23 to €43, booking fee included, with numbered seats in the stalls, the boxes and the upper gallery of the city's main theatre.

Who Vincent Tharpe & Kenosis are

Vincent Tharpe & Kenosis is a gospel group from Memphis, Tennessee. According to the Journal of Gospel Music, Tharpe decided to form his own ensemble after directing the Voices of Harambee choir at Craigmont High School. The name comes from the Letter to the Philippians (2:5-8): “kenosis” is the Greek word for Christ setting aside his divine status to become human.

Their first nationally released album, “Live in Memphis”, came out in 2012 on the EPM Music Group label. Critics described their sound as a dense, passionate choir in the vein of Ricky Dillard and O'Landa Draper, and CCM Magazine called it a bridge between gospel's traditional choir repertoire and contemporary urban grooves.

The concert at the Cilea and the Rome dates

The concert takes place on Monday 28 December 2026 at 9 pm at Teatro Cilea, in the days between Christmas and New Year. It is organised by Publidema Eventi Musicali, a company based in Reggio Calabria. The line-up on stage and the set list have not been published.

A few days later the group is due in Rome: the Roma Gospel Festival has them on the bill at the Auditorium Parco della Musica, Sala Sinopoli, on 31 December at 10 pm and on 1 January 2027 at 6 pm. In the TicketOne calendar, these are the only other Italian dates on sale besides Reggio Calabria.

Tickets and prices on TicketOne

Tickets are on sale on TicketOne with numbered seats. Full prices, booking fee included, are: stalls €43; first-level central boxes €40; second-level central boxes and first-level side boxes €34.50; third-level central boxes and second-level side boxes €28.50; third-level side boxes and the restricted-view upper gallery €23.

TicketOne service charges are added on top. No concessions are listed. TicketOne sells on behalf of the organiser, who sets the rules for any refunds.

Teatro Cilea, the largest theatre in Calabria

The municipal Teatro Francesco Cilea, named after the composer born in Palmi, has around 1,500 seats and is the largest theatre in Calabria. It opened in 1931, when the city rebuilt it after the 1908 earthquake; the horseshoe-shaped auditorium, with three tiers of boxes and the upper gallery, was redesigned in the 1960s. The city council notes that Maria Callas and Luciano Pavarotti are among those who have performed on its stage.

The north wing of the building houses Reggio Calabria's municipal art gallery, the Pinacoteca Civica. The council lists the theatre as accessible to people with disabilities.

Getting there and more Christmas gospel in town

The theatre is at Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi 325, the main street of central Reggio Calabria, opposite Palazzo San Giorgio, the city hall, and a short walk from the seafront promenade. For dinner before the concert, our selection of restaurants in Reggio Calabria lists places in the centre.

If you are looking for more gospel over the holidays, the city also has the Christmas gospel concert at Cine Teatro Odeon on Saturday 19 December at 8:30 pm, part of that theatre's Christmas mini-season: it is a separate event with its own tickets.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a ticket for Vincent Tharpe & Kenosis cost?

From €23 (third-level side boxes and the restricted-view upper gallery) to €43 (stalls), booking fee included. TicketOne service charges are added.

What time does the concert start?

On Monday 28 December 2026 at 9 pm, at Teatro Cilea in Reggio Calabria.

Who are Vincent Tharpe & Kenosis?

A gospel group from Memphis, in the United States, founded and led by Vincent Tharpe. Their first nationally released album, “Live in Memphis”, came out in 2012.

Where can I buy tickets?

On TicketOne, online or through the 892.101 call centre.

Are there other gospel concerts in Reggio over the holidays?

Yes: on Saturday 19 December at 8:30 pm Cine Teatro Odeon hosts a Christmas gospel concert, part of its Christmas mini-season. It is a separate event with its own tickets.

Where is Teatro Cilea?

At Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi 325, in the centre of Reggio Calabria, opposite Palazzo San Giorgio.

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