“I try to use music as a cure, to lift the mood from negative thoughts.” This is the mission of Giovanna Ofelia Berardinelli, singer and harp player. She’s been performing at the Lake in Villa Borghese almost every day, in every season, for eight years. Since 2023, she has also brought her performance live on TikTok, where she is followed by people from all over the world.
Today, Giovanna moves in a double dimension, between the real and the virtual. But everything started from a deep relationship with the Garden of the Lake in Villa Borghese. “I think it’s one of the most beautiful places in Rome,” she says firmly, recalling how this garden is the result of a specific architectural project, wanted by Prince Marcantonio IV Borghese at the end of the 1700s.
“This place is also linked to some of my childhood memories.” Giovanna recounts, with a touch of emotion, the “most beautiful Sundays” spent here with her aunt, who used to take her for the traditional ride on the little boat. These happy images had a decisive impact on her decision to become a street artist.
A close connection to Villa Borghese
“In a difficult moment of my life, I remembered that here I had been happy and so I sought that happiness again.”
One day Giovanna came to play the harp at Villa Borghese and felt such a sense of well-being that she decided to keep doing it every day.
The spot she chose to play is not random. “I wanted to see the temple which, ironically, is dedicated to the God of medicine, Aesculapius,” she says with a smile. “This temple gave me inspiration and healing: healing for me and then for others. Because little by little I discovered that this healing I received, I was also giving a little bit back to those who listened to me.”
“The whole repertoire I built is dedicated to this place and it has integrated itself as if it were truly music for the landscape, music that merges with the environment.”
The integration is such that even the animals respond. There are ducks that sometimes sit in front of her and sleep, other times they join in the singing, especially when there are high-pitched notes.
Giovanna ranges across many different genres, in different languages. From baroque to folk music, without neglecting modern music and a bit of pop and jazz. She has a diploma in jazz singing from the conservatory and has been playing the harp for about 15 years. “These skills mean that whatever kind of song I approach, I do it in my own style.”
A special connection with people through music
In her performances at Villa Borghese she plays the Celtic harp. “I chose this instrument because as a child I was fascinated by images of fairy-like creatures playing the harp in storybooks.” She herself has assumed an almost magical aura, very attractive to children who stop, almost hypnotized, to listen to her. “One child once asked his father if I was a fairy,” she says, laughing.
Giovanna plays for the people. “A relationship of exchange is created. It often happens that some regular listener asks me to learn a certain song. I always gladly do it. I believe that music is communication in various forms and on various levels, and so it is a privilege to listen to the needs of those around me and give them back in music.”
Her music has even inspired acts of love. One day, while she was performing, a couple was listening. At one point, the girl came to her in tears, but Giovanna didn’t understand what had happened. Then the girl told her that her boyfriend, moved by the music and the atmosphere, had just proposed to her. “He didn’t even have a ring, it was a spur-of-the-moment proposal. She thanked me. I thought that was beautiful, really beautiful,” she recalls, moved.
The adventure on Tiktok
Despite the beautiful experiences and the relationships created during her many years at Villa Borghese, Giovanna has “always felt a bit lonely” and felt the need to “share more” of her music.
She discovered that on TikTok there was the possibility to go live and be followed by people from all over the world, so she signed up on the platform.
After a period of exploration, since 2023 she began performing live every day, connecting directly from her spot in Villa Borghese. “At the beginning, there was almost no one connecting on TikTok. But little by little, a community formed that gave me incredible joy,” she says, moved.
On TikTok, Giovanna speaks and performs not only in Italian, but also in English, French, and Spanish.
“I made this choice precisely because I had the need to communicate as much as possible with many people and to come into contact with different cultures,” she explains.
As of today, her account has more than twenty thousand followers, and every day from 30 to 50 people from all over the world follow her live shows. From the United States to France, from Australia to Japan, and to Latin America.
“I know that some people even wake up at night just to listen to me.”
Her community is driven by shared principles. “The philosophy is to enjoy music, relax, and find a space of international friendship.” A situation that is in some ways also very delicate, because people have different backgrounds and ideas. “It’s a little miracle, in my opinion.”
From social media to reality
Some international followers have even come to visit her in person. Like Claudine, from France, who during a trip to Rome with her husband couldn’t help but stop by Villa Borghese. She brought Giovanna a gift: a new pair of gloves to wear during her performances.
For 2026, Giovanna is organizing a reunion in Rome with her TikTok group. Three days to get to know each other better, explore the city, and have dinner together. And finally, everyone will be able to see and hear Giovanna playing the harp live at Villa Borghese.
Read the article in Italian.
