Walter Zanetti

The artistic bond between Walter Zanetti and Caterina Barbieri is a compelling story of mutual respect that has come full circle over the years. Originally, Zanetti was Barbieri’s guitar professor at the Conservatory of Bologna, where he helped shape her early musical foundation. Decades later, their relationship evolved into a creative partnership. In 2021, Zanetti contributed a striking electric guitar reinterpretation of the track "Fantas" for Barbieri’s album Fantas Variations. The collaboration reached a new milestone in May 2025, when Barbieri published Zanetti's album, Cantos Yoruba de Cuba, through her own independent label, light-years. This release highlights a unique shift in roles, as the former student now provides a platform for her mentor’s avant-garde explorations of Afro-Cuban sacred music.