April 2025
A moment I’ll never forget — the beginning of what feels like a dream come true. For the very first time, I got to hear a draft of the first half of Act One and the first three songs from the musical I’m writing. Words and melodies that had lived only in my mind — sung by my own voice during countless quiet hours trying to create the book, lyrics & music — came to life through the voices of others. It was WILD. And beautiful. All the nerves melted away, replaced by pure fun and joy.
THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to the incredible artists I had the pleasure of working with: @lucreziagaleone@michaeltoolan95@michelemariabenvenuto — what a gift it was to create with you! And to the many, many people who made this possible: Joel, Nigel, Maria, Donna, Dimitri, my family, my friends — your support has filled my heart to the brim.
A special thank you to the wonderful audience who joined us and stayed for the heartfelt conversation that followed. Your energy and openness meant the world.
Now, it's time to dive back in — there's so much more to create. But I’m moving forward with a full heart and renewed inspiration!
Un grazie di cuore al COMITES Londra, @british_italian_society e @sialschool per il vostro prezioso supporto al progetto.
And a big shout out to @ewa.emini for these beautiful pictures!
PS. Nonna e nonno, spero che qualche vibrazione ed energia positiva vi sia arrivata quel giorno, ovunque voi siate.
#MusicalTheatre #NewMusical #CreativeJourney #Gratitude #WorkInProgress #TheatreMagic #BehindTheScenes #ComposerLife #LyricistLife #MakingMusicals #MusicalWriters #FirstDraft #TheatreLove #SupportTheArts #ThankYou #LondonTheatre #Collaboration #JoyfulMoments #ArtInTheMaking #HeartFull #TeatroMusicale #NuovoMusical #ViaggioCreativo #DietroLeQuinte #ScrivereUnMusical #AmorePerIlTeatro #GrazieDiCuore #CollaborazioneArtistica #SosteniamoLArte #CuorePieno
CRAZY TIMES!!
As some of you already know, I'm writing (for the first time in my life) a new musical and IT'S REALLY HAPPENING 😱😬
It's a very personal show inspired by my own family’s migration story, and it explores themes of identity, belonging, and the resilience of two Italian women across generations.
Anyway - in April I'm organising a public reading of a VERY first draft of a few songs and scenes, followed by a community discussion. It will be an occasion to bring together migrant communities, to get feedback on the musical and to share experiences and thoughts about what being a migrant means today and in the past.
I'd be so over the moon if some familiar faces were there! Link for more info & to book your free spot in the biog!
Date: Friday, 4th April 2025
Time: 3:30 PM
Location: SIAL.School, 154 Holland Park Ave, London W11 4UH
The Artistic Team:
Anna Oggero: book, music, lyrics & production
@michaeltoolan95 : musical direction & piano accompaniment
Anna Oggero, @lucreziagaleone , @michelemariabenvenuto : performers
The event is generously supported by COMITES London and by The British Italian Society. A huge thank you to SIAL.school for hosting the event.
Chile 2026 - Day 16
Val Paraiso & Viña Del Mar
With the wonderful Francisco who made us feel at home. Grazie Francisco!
Valparaiso is famous for its houses made of corrugated metal walls and beautiful graffitis.
Another wonderful day. So sad to leave.
Thank you Chile!
Chile 2026 - Day 15
Rapa Nui (Isla de Pasqua)
Last day on the Island (💔) - trekking to Terevaka Volcano, the highest point of the island. We were charmed by the most defined 🌈 we've ever seen in our life! As if the island was saying goodbye.
Rapa Nui is pure Mana. It's really sad to leave but we also feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to walk on its magical soil.
And a special thank you to @fran.contesse who was our spiritual (and factual) guide. We are so blessed and lucky to have met you and honoured to have spent time with you Fran - Mauruuru!
To coming back in the future... To the Moai.... To the untouched nature... And to cultural treasures.
#travelblog #traveldiary_aroundtheworld #familytrip #rapanui #isladepascua
Chile 2026 - day 14
Rapa Nui (Isla de Pasqua)
First stop: Rano Kau the volcano where the Bird Man competition took place for more than 2 centuries, and Orongo, the ceremonial village. Then back to Ahu Athai (visited the first day), Ahu Akivi where 7 restored Moai face the sea (the only ones on the island), Ahu Vinapu with a wall similar to the Inca ones and finally Puna Pao, where top knots were carved.
Last pic is of the local Catholic Church, a syncretism of cultures, Jesus becoming a bird Man and St John's too. Really nice!
Another incredible, magical day.
#travelblog #traveldiary #familytrip #rapanui #isladepascua
Chile 2026 - day 13
Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
A full day tour, and I'm quite speechless
We started in Anakena beach, with Ahu Ature Huki (the first Moai to be lifted - 1st pic) and Ahu Nau Nau (with 7, more recent Moai). The red topknot is hair, not a hat!
Then Ahu Tongariki, with 15 restored Moai, all different. Rano Raraku Volcano - the stone quarry - where you can see 400 Moai, standing, laying and in the process of being carved (the quarry was abandoned for the lack of wood in the 1500).
Ahi Akahanga with 12 toppled down moai and a cave. And finally Vaihu, a Rapa Nui Village.
What a day... If feels surreal. These giants tell incredible stories if you listen. We swam in the ocean and had lunch surrounded by Moai... Absolutely surreal.
#traveldiary #travelblog #familytrip #rapanui #moai Te Pito Kura
Chile 2026 - Day 12
Rapa Nui (Isla de Pasqua)
A lifetime dream come true. When I was a kid grandma told me stories about Rapa Nui. Its history and the legends behind the Moai and the Ahu being erected.
And I cannot lie, this place is pure energy. The land itself - the same feeling I had in French Polynesia - and the Moai do irradiate their Mana (energy that permeates the universe).
It's a feeling of peace, balance and connection. All the running, the chasing, the chaos, seems silly and futile from here.
Here you see Ahu Vai Ure, Ahu Tahai and Ahu Ko Te Riku (with the only Moai with eyes you can see on the island).
Ahi is the platform on which the Moai were erected - sacred burial sites, from where the Moai (the ancestors) with their Mana would protect and provide.
#traveldiary_aroundtheworld #travelblog
#familytrip #isladepascua #rapanui
Chile 2026 - Day 11
Atacama Desert - Stargazing, Geysers del Tatio & Pucará de Quitor
Stargazing: the first two photos give an idea of how beautiful it looked. Back past midnight & alarm at 4.00am to go to see the Tatio Geysers at 4500m of altitude. Really cold 🥶 (-5) but totally worth it!
On the way back wonderful landscapes, more volcanoes and flamingos, cute viscachas (🐭), vicuñas and wild ostriches.
Finally back to San Pedro and visited pre-inca site
pucará de Quitor (by then altitude sickness got me badly 🤯).
Cute animal pics and geyser video at the end!
Dad couldn't join again but he had a lovely day in the city surroundings (I promise, he's still travelling with us).
#travelblog #chilegram #geysersdeltatio
#atacamadesert #familytrip
Chile 2026 - day 10
Atacama Desert
Piedras Rojas (red ancient lava), Lagunas Miscanti y Miñique, Salar de Talar and star gazing at night!
Wonderful landscapes, really high altitude (4500m). Viguñas crossing the road and 🦩 🦩 🦩
Beautiful day!
Dad couldn't join (we didn't abandon him)
#atacamadesert #lagunasaltiplánicas #salardetalar #travelblog #familytrip
Chile 2026 - Day 9
Atacama Desert
Finally we managed to get here! Valle de la Luna and Valle de la Muerte, incredibile landscapes! It feels like Mars.
#travelblog #traveladdicts #atacamadesert #valledelalunaAtacamaDesert #valledelamuertesanpedrodeatacama
Chile 2026
Day 7 & 8 - Patagonia, Puerto Natales
Stuck in Puerto Natales, couldn't fly out for bad weather. Spent day 7 at the airport trying to find a solution (unsuccessfully). Pure chaos and frustration - had to rearrange the trip in Atacama and cut it short.
Filled day 8 with a visit to the Cueva del Milodón. Caves, snowy landscapes and a bunny!
#travelblog #traveladdicts #familytrip #puertonatales #cuevadelmilodón
