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iHarp Festival | Harp Concerto Night: The Royal Harp – From Versailles to Hollywood
July 12 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
$125
Concerto night with National Broadcasting Orchestra
Harp Concerto Night: “The Royal Harp – From Versailles to Hollywood” at the Toronto International Harp Festival 2025. Step into a world where the regal beauty of the harp meets the grandeur of orchestral music in the spectacular “Harp Concerto Night: The Royal Harp – From Versailles to Hollywood,” part of the Toronto International Harp Festival 2025. This enchanting concert, presented in collaboration with the National Broadcasting Orchestra and Maestro Ken Hsieh, takes you on a musical journey from the opulent courts of Versailles to the glamour of Hollywood’s silver screen, featuring iconic works for harp and orchestra, alongside a world premiere performance.
The evening will open with François-Joseph Gossec‘s “Symphonie Concertante du Ballet de Mirza” for two harps and chamber orchestra, beautifully performed by two exceptional young harpists from the renowned Eastman School of Music. This elegant and exciting piece sets the tone for an evening full of rich textures and heavenly sounds.
In a rare and exceptional performance, legendary Parisian harpist Catherine Michel will showcase “Concerto di Camera” by Nicolas-Charles Bochsa, a long-overlooked Romantic masterpiece. This concerto, filled with sweeping melodies and intricate harp passages, highlights Bochsa’s technical brilliance and lyrical depth.
While some orchestra parts remain missing from the historical score, we have located them, and this performance offers a rare chance to hear the work in its full form. Michel promises to reveal the grandeur and elegance of Bochsa’s music, shedding light on a forgotten gem from one of the 19th century’s most significant harpists and composers.
Joel von Lerber, renowned harpist from Berlin, takes the stage next to perform the exquisite Harp Concerto in C major by François-Adrien Boieldieu. Often referred to as the ‘Mozart of the harp,’ Boieldieu composed this sparkling concerto in 1801, blending Classical elegance with French lyricism. With its graceful melodies, virtuosic passages, and charming orchestration, the concerto remains one of the most beloved works in the harp repertoire.
After intermission, the concert will feature the world premiere of “II Passaggio”, a concertino for flute and harp by French composer Richard Galliano. A fresh and exciting addition to the harp repertoire, Catherine Michel returns to the stage alongside Canadian flutist Suzanne Shulman.
This performance marks a truly remarkable and heartfelt reunion, as this duo comes together on stage for the first time in 55 years. After decades apart, they will once again share the stage, bringing their music—and their shared history—back to life in this very special concert. It’s a moment of deep connection, not only between the two musicians, but also with the audience, as they come together to celebrate the beauty of time, talent, and the enduring bond of music. This is more than just a performance; it’s a reunion of spirit and sound, a testament to the timeless power of music to reunite and inspire friendships.
The program continues with a thrilling rendition of Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story” arranged for harp and orchestra. Our festival’s founder and artistic director, Andrew Chan, will bring this iconic musical to life in a dazzling performance, bridging the worlds of classical elegance and American musical theatre.
Join us for this extraordinary evening of music, where the harp shines in all its splendor—from the classical courtly elegance of Versailles to the jazzy rhythms of Hollywood. The “Harp Concerto Night: The Royal Harp – From Versailles to Hollywood” is a must-attend event for harp enthusiasts, classical music lovers, and anyone captivated by the beauty and versatility of the harp.
Concert line up:
Harp: Catherine Michel, Joel von Lerber, Andrew Chan
- One and two-day passes are also available, as well as online access passes – check [HERE] for details.
