Unforgettable in the Rivaltini's mind and witnessed by the commemorative plaque affixed to the side of the parish Church of Saints Fabian and Sebastian, the memory of the Rivalto's music band.
Established in 1848 by the then popular parish priest of the village, as well as writer, musician and music teacher Father Achille Costagli (1824-1908), it began to take shape playing during solemn ceremonies that animated the village (religious festivals, processions, public holidays, weddings and funeral) and then soon it became required also in neighboring villages and got some prestigious awards.
Rehearsals and musical exercises took place during the week, due to reconcilation between the daily arts and crafts and the big musical passion.
The photo below, dating back to 1905, brings together the members of the band around Father Achille Costagli.
Established in 1848 by the then popular parish priest of the village, as well as writer, musician and music teacher Father Achille Costagli (1824-1908), it began to take shape playing during solemn ceremonies that animated the village (religious festivals, processions, public holidays, weddings and funeral) and then soon it became required also in neighboring villages and got some prestigious awards.
Rehearsals and musical exercises took place during the week, due to reconcilation between the daily arts and crafts and the big musical passion.
The photo below, dating back to 1905, brings together the members of the band around Father Achille Costagli.
The instrumentation of the band, self-financed by the privates and voluntary offers of the village, ranged from brass (trumpets, trombones, tubas, horns, clarinets, mortars, oboe) to percussions (drums, bass drum, cymbals).
Francesco Matteucci (1875-1957) self-taught musician, composer and music teacher, was director of the bands of Chianni, Rivalto and Casciana Terme from the 20's onwards. In the picture below, taken during the celebrations of the centenary of the band in 1948 in Piazza della Compagnia, in front of the door of Sor Ottorino Falugi's building, he is sitting in the middle of the band with the headgear on the head.
Among the rivaltini musicians that at various times took part in the band, we can certainly remember: Alceste Gotti (1871-1956), Fiorindo Del Lucchese (1885-1966), Giuseppe Valluchi (1886-1975), Nello Formichi (1899 -1980), Ottorino Panicucci, Quirino Matteoli (1908-1999), Osea Del Lucchese (1922-1999), Remo Capponi, Rino Formichi.
Below a jam session of the band took place around 1943.
The band broke up in the 60's, by which time the economic and social developments in the country began to record an abandonment of the village.
Many objects of that time, however, are still closely guarded by relatives, proud in keeping alive the memory of that expression of excellence which has characterized Rivalto for more than a century.
Among them, the brass and the musical instruments, the music stands and music sheets, the headgear.
The flag of the band, centered on a lyre and a laurel branch on the background of the national flag on which stands the inscription "Società Musicale - Rivalto 1848", is currently preserved in the Town Hall of Chianni.
Despite the changing times, the musical tradition of the area continues with the help of a volunteer group that animates the Peasant Band of Chianni, at which also take part in some rivaltini, still present with its music in the major popular events such as the Chestnut Festival of Rivalto, the Peasant Festival, the Wild Boar Festival of Chianni.
