Wasn't just a street musician
I arrived in Lucca in the late afternoon. The day had been bathed in sunlight, and I was feeling that specific kind of exhaustion that comes from hours of walking and exploring Tuscan streets. I sat down to rest in the main square, camera in hand, hoping to capture some authentic detail—a small piece of the city’s soul as the day began to fade.
And then, the sound of a guitar filled the air. She began to play melodies that were familiar to me, but performed in a way that instantly wiped away my fatigue. Her voice was the final, magic element that—just like with everyone else gathered there—brought a genuine smile to my face.
On that corner of the square, Valentina Bagni wasn't just a street musician; she was a star who managed to "tame" the rush of the passing crowds. Although Valentina is not originally from Lucca, her music blended into the atmosphere so naturally that I wanted to know more about the person behind the strings. In the conversation that followed, she revealed her other side—witty, thoughtful, and deeply connected to her craft.
From Puccini to Autotune
I asked her what she would explain to Giacomo Puccini if they happened to meet in his hometown. "Probably the first thing I would have to explain to him is that today, music travels faster than people," Valentina says. "Back then, compositions moved through theaters; today they move through phones, streets, social media, and the headphones of someone walking alone at night. But I’d also tell him that, despite all this modern noise, people still need the same thing he was searching for: to truly feel emotions. And then, I’d probably let him hear some extreme autotune, just to see his reaction."
The Guitar as a Companion, Not Just an Instrument
Her relationship with her guitar is anything but ordinary. If her instrument could complain about one thing, Valentina believes it would be her musical curiosity. "My guitar would probably complain that I treat it more like a travel companion than a delicate instrument. I take it everywhere, play it for hours, suddenly change its tuning, and sometimes ask it to follow me even when I’m not completely sure where I’m going musically. I think it would say: 'Could you at least decide which sonic universe you want to live in today?'"
A Musical "Lasagna-Arrabbiata"
Defining her playing style is a challenge, so we turned to Italian cuisine. Valentina describes her sound as a blend of opposites. "My songs have many emotional layers—very delicate ones—but also impulsive, rough, almost rebellious moments. So maybe it’s a lasagna that suddenly decides to become spicy (Penne all’Arrabbiata)," she explains.
Living Inside the Music
It is fascinating how much music is present in her every move, even off-stage. She admits to often catching herself playing "air guitar" while waiting for coffee, but it doesn't stop there. "Sometimes I also find myself conducting imaginary orchestras with a coffee spoon. I think it’s one of the side effects of living constantly inside music."
And what if guitars were banned tomorrow? Valentina has a backup plan—she would become the lead singer of a futuristic heavy metal band named "Mother Resonance" or "Valhalla Moon." However, her backstage demands would be entirely anti-rockstar: "I would demand absolute silence, herbal teas, honey, candles, and a space to meditate. I would be the least 'rock’n’roll' heavy metal singer in history."
One More Stop
As I look through my photos of Lucca, one wish remains clear. I would love to find myself in that same square again, tired in the late afternoon, and hear her songs once more. Because in a world that is always in a hurry, Valentina and her guitar are a reminder that the only journey worth taking is the one that makes us stop, listen, and—finally—feel.
