Our story left off on Day 2, and now it’s evening.

After dinner (every meal was 5-6 courses – I had to learn not to fill up on the delicious 1st course, or 2nd or…), Franco presented me with a copy of this book, which I had been hoping to get.  Edited by Simona Boni and featuring a host of experts on various Italian guitarists, it offers (in Italian only, unfortunately) a wealth of priceless information on the historical Italian classical guitar movement (much of it harp guitars, of course) – spearheaded by Romolo Ferrari, President of the International Union of Guitarists (himself also a harp guitarist).

Once back at our hotel, I went to bed drooling over the many new photos, including:

Ferrari in 1930 with his Mozzani harp guitar with 4, rather than the usual 3, basses

This early mandolin orchestra photo includes 4 harp guitarists, including Ferrari with a different dual-arm Mozzani

Ferrari in 1959 with the 4-bass instrument

Ferrari’s son, Ivano, with Dad’s harp guitar

Federico Galimberti, from a record catalog
Note he is not playing his known Mozzani harp guitar, but instead an early Maccaferri

And a young Maccaferri himself, with his very cool “practice harp guitar”

A beautiful and distinctive harp guitar built Luigi Digiuni, a new luthier for the list

Cesare Lutzemberger, with his Mozzani harp guitar

This is Ugo Mori, with a very small terz Mozzani

Guerriero Spataffi, with 2 Mozzani’s lurking in the shop of ?, waiting to be finished and strung.

Mozzani, himself, later in life

Mozzani’s pupil, Sara Stegnani
This instrument is now owned by the book’s editor, Simona Boni

Needless to say, during my first night in this magical city, I had the most amazing dreams!

Next week: Day 3: A Bounty of Harp Guitars in the Field