I have always felt a strong connection to my land and have been deeply passionate about tradition. In a world that seeks to break away from it, I find beauty in the memory of what has been left to us. I am not passionate about tradition simply because "it’s always been done this way, so it must be fine," but because I enjoy researching and understanding its origins.

Abroad, my identity could be easily defined: "an Italian girl," or more precisely, "an Italian musician." But in Italy, it has not always been so simple. The gap between the north and the south is indeed very wide. Born in the north, but with parents, grandparents, and cousins from the south, I have always wondered with which culture I was raised, with which traditions: those of the south or those of the north? I have always felt that stepping into my house was like entering Sicily, as my parents passed down to me the southern dialect, flavors, and cuisine.

I also owe an important part of my identity to my grandfather. I think that through him, his eyes, and his stories, I got to know Sicily. When he would visit me in that house outside the province of Verona, he would tell me about his youth, about the nursery rhymes in dialect, and the songs sung by young people. When I went to Sicily in August to enjoy the sea, I would see the gestures, those expressions, and all that land through the lens of those stories. 

This is the same motivation that led me to the Netherlands and inspired me to write this thesis: the pursuit of a better future while staying "faithful" to my roots and origins. Although it may seem obvious now why I chose this research topic, it wasn't clear to me at the beginning. It was Baldo Martino1, that opened my eyes to lesser-known South-italian harpists and the musical heritage of southern Italy. The entire tradition of the south is deeply rooted in music and dance. With the guidance he gave me, I began to explore more deeply, trying to understand how to nurture this newfound interest. Slowly, my path became clearer. I wouldn't call this research the result of a sudden realization, nor something I always knew I wanted to pursue. Rather, it is something that has gradually developed over time, thanks to the support of those who helped me shape my identity, and my own drive to always give my best in understanding what kind of musician I want to become.

My research aims to shed light on the musical tradition of southern Italy in the 19th century, with a particular focus on composers—especially harpists—who played a key role in shaping the music of the time.

This study takes the reader on an imaginary journey, guided by a steam train once driven by my grandfather. The central stops on this journey are Naples and Palermo, the two most important cities of the kingdom, which for a long time competed for the title of capital. Each city will be explored through the lens of the composers who lived there, transforming local traditions into music that expressed both their personal emotions and those of the people.

In addition to rediscovering these musical voices, the research also seeks to define the cultural identity of the people of southern Italy. By the end of this study, the reader will have a clearer understanding of the historical period of that land and will be able to appreciate the musical richness that characterized it. 

The research was conducted with the aim of being presented through a concert, an opportunity to bring the musical traditions of Southern Italy to life and share them with the public. The idea of the train and the journey, symbolizing an explorative path, represents this musical journey I wish to take with the listeners, transporting them to the emotions and places that characterized the musical history of my land.

Although primarily intended for harpists, my research explores artistic interpretation and technical choices while maintaining accessible language. By incorporating historical narratives and contextual events, each chapter can be appreciated both by musicians and enthusiasts. My ultimate goal is to promote this musical heritage as widely as possible through masterclasses and concerts. For this reason, my research question is: "How can music and musical tradition in Sicily be used nowadays to present the identity of the Sicilian people through a harp concert?"