The Story of Serchio delle Muse

The Serchio delle Muse was founded in 2002 with the aim of bringing the inhabitants of the Valley closer to the world of music, opera and poetry, but its origins are more distant. The summer of 1996 was a tragic summer: a terrible flood hit the Apuan Alps and some towns suffered extensive damage in a few moments. Fornovolasco, a part of the municipality of Vergemoli, was also severely hit. People very quickly gathered to offer and arrange support.

Several events were organized to raise funds, in Gallicano, Antisciana, Castelvecchio Pascoli and, for the first time, Maestro Luigi Roni, bass of international fame, having sung in the most pretigious theatres in the world, performed in his native land. This was the beginning of his passion for music, opera and poetry in which villages and then the whole Valley could collaborate. His desire to offer moments of great emotion, initially caused the inevitable difficulties experienced by those who try something new, but he always approached it with enthusiasm and pride wanting to provide something beautiful right at home.

In 2002, thanks to the interest of the Province of Lucca, the Festival was created, which is organized by the Mountain Community of Garfagnana, the Mountain Community of Mediavalle del Serchio and all the municipalities where the concerts take place, of the Cassa Foundation di Risparmio di Lucca, the Banca del Monte di Lucca Foundation and the Banca della Versilia Lunigiana and Garfagnana.

Il Serchio delle Muse was born from the desire to pay homage with art to our Valley and its natural beauties, because concerts are held in the squares, on the churchyards, in the gardens of poets, in the woods: unique places that come alive with lights for one evening , unusual colors and sounds, and beauty educates to beauty because it is no coincidence that every place that has hosted a show has been restored and enhanced. Each municipality can tell its own story: we like to remember the image of the public returning home to get chairs because there are no more seats in the square, or that lights up with a torch in a path among the woods to go to the concert… and the one that hums the arias of the operas that were once heard in the evening on the radio. When evening falls and the show is about to go on stage, our Valley rediscovers the magic of the vigils of the past, the pleasure of being cool in the squares, on the churchyards, and like a spell the Serchio calls its Muses, and all of you ...