Gallery owner and artist Donna Demente invited Italian harpist Adriano Sangineto back to perform a solo show for the day dedicated to love, after being "blown away" by the harp playing performance of Sangineto and his twin sister, harpist and singer Caterina Sangineto, and guitarist Jacopo Ventura, who played at the Whare Flat Folk Festival in Dunedin last year.
The musical group performed at the Grainstore Gallery last year as part of a world tour that included New Zealand, France, Spain, Belgium and the United States.
Sangineto was happy to be back, with his partner, Rossella, to play harp for the "special" day.
"I will play love songs for all the women, especially the wonderful Donna," he said.
"I’ve been playing many songs for my lady. She’s probably getting bored," he joked.
Sangineto is from Monza in northern Italy, northeast of Milan, a city famous for its grand prix motor racing circuit.
The self-taught harpist, who graduated in clarinet and experimental composition at the Milan Conservatory, said he liked experimenting with the harp and to play against the stereotypical idea of the instrument.
"I like to go beyond the borders.
"I play electric sound effects on electronic pads on the harp.
"From what I know, there are no other examples of people doing this.
Sangineto describes his music as "strange", adding the sound effects only recently to his harp playing, saying "it was in my mind for ages".
Sangineto will continue his solo harp shows around the South Island this month, playing in Hokitika, Christchurch and Mapua, before touring the North Island.
