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I collaborated with the AIDIMOS (International Academy of Musical Direction and Performance for Symphonic Orchestras) orchestra, playing in several music tours in France and Switzerland as first harpist and I took a post-graduation course with Maestro D. Watkins in London.
- I specialized in Paraguayan Harp with Maestro R.Ortiz, in Celtic Harp, especially the Irish traditional songs with G.Hambly and then I perfected the Breton repertoire with D.Bouchaud.
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After having attended some courses with G.Marini about the Oral Tradition in Italy, I became really interested in traditional folk songs and I started a project of research, transcription and development of oral repertoires and traditional music as serenades, ballads, “stornelli”, polkas and waltzes.
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I directed for few years the choir of the social organization “Micene” in Milan, and I taught courses of popular folk singing, organized by the cultural association “Open Music” at the Conservatory “G. Verdi” in Milan and at the International Workshop of Communication in Gemona del Friuli.
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I performed as a soloist and singer during several renowned musical events, and I took part in several radio and tv shows, and I collaborated for the soundtrack of the film “Momo”. In 2007 I won the prize “Giovanna Daffini” with the song “Alla musica”. I am also a member of AICA (Italian Storytellers Association Lorenzo De Antiquis)
- I’ve recorded Girovaga, a cd for harp and voice composed of songs written by me or taken from the tradition of the Lucania area and the South of Italy.
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I work in Milan for the Public State School.
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1) How did you connect harp playing and singing?
After having studied harp and music methodology at the Conservatory, I was lucky enough to take part in some musical journeys organized by Giovanna Marini. It was a wonderful experience, with Sardinia brotherhoods, Maggianti feasts in Tuscany, the Albanian community in Pollino, Easter ceremonies in Ceriana, Liguria. During this journey I understood the importance of rituals, especially in their relationship with folk singing. I wish I could somehow connect the sound of harp with the rural, popular world. After having met R.Leydi I discover the traditions of the buskers from Viggiano, Basilicata, who made themselves and played harps. I decided to visit that place to understand what still remains about that, and to follow the trail of that tradition.
2) Who did you meet in Viggiano and what did you find out?
I found out that the locals no longer play harp, but they would like to restore the ancient tradition. I met Rocco Rossetti, the last harp busker from Viggiano. He was very old and he didn’t want to meet anyone. I decided to go to his house, in a small village called Corleto Perticara and to sing him a serenade. I was lucky: intrigued by the sound, he looked out the window and listened carefully. He smiled and said I was playing his songs just right (tarantella, polkas, tarasconi) and he was quite shocked when he saw my hard case. When he played a long time ago the musicians had just a strap to carry the harp…here’s some verses from a poem by Pierpaolo Parzanese which describe their story:
My harp is tied to my neck, I’m from Viaggiano
The whole earth is my country
Like a swallow leaving her nest
I walk and sing from place to place
And I know all my life longI’ll sing about war and love
3) What does it mean for you to play with someone else, and what is the importance of the music for you?
Music offers a concrete possibility to take some risk and to come to terms with your wishes. Music can connect reason and irrationality, creativity and discipline. It is a never ending exercise which closely touches not only our inner self but also our relationship with the others. Music is individuality but also joyful and necessary openness to others, both musicians and audience. To decide and playing music as a living is a choice for our place in the world, a chance to change the reality, a mean to broaden our horizons. But it is also a sort of responsibility, a promise we want to keep for the sake of ideals. As a large river, music can outline and at the same time blur our boundaries.
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