Harpist Louise Thomson is delighted to announce the inaugural Manchester Harp Festival, of which she is the founding Artistic Director.
Taking place over two days 19-20 Jaunary 2024, the festival is being launched in partnership with Chetham’s School of Music and RNCM, with the generous support of Salvi Music, London.
The festival will include a broad range of musical activity, including world-class performances, workshops, meet-the-artist events and children’s activities, and will also feature the inaugural Manchester Harp Competition at The Stoller Hall.
A recital will be given by multiple-prize-winning Belgian harpist Anneleen Lenaerts on Saturday 20th January at 7:30pm. Anneleen is Principal Harpist of the Vienna Philharmonic and is renowned around the world as a virtuosic soloist. Louise Thomson herself features in the opening night recital on Friday 19th January, as part of a starry line-up of UK-based harpists alongside Marie Leenhardt, Anne Marie O’Farrell and Esther Swift.
Tickets for both these recitals can now be booked via the Stoller Hall website, and full details of the other festival events will be unveiled very soon.
Entries are now open for the Manchester Harp Competition, an exciting opportunity for harpists of all abilities to come together and celebrate the enchanting melodies and ethereal sounds of one of the most remarkable instruments ever created. Thanks to the different competition categories, everyone can get involved – from harp beginners to expert players – in either the open class (for all levels and ages) or the advanced class (for more experienced players and young professionals). Prizes on offer include cash vouchers and opportunities to perform a live recital at The Stoller Hall or Salvi London.
Please visit this page for more information and the opportunity to enter the competition. Entry also includes access to workshops and performances at the festival all day on Saturday 20th January 2024, apart from the recital by Anneleen Lenaerts in the evening. The deadline for entries is Sunday 10th December 2023.
The Manchester Harp Festival is generously sponsored by Salvi Music, London, who will be exhibiting their beautiful collection of harps and offering festival-goers the opportunity to try out the instruments.
