On May 12th, at 6 PM, the opening of the exhibition “Erard and the Invention of the Modern Harp, 1811-2011” will take place at the Palais Lascaris.
The evolution of harp making will be showcased from the early 17th century to the present day. Several prestigious pieces will be featured in this exhibition, such as the “14-pedal” harp by Georges Cousineau (1782), the first harp by Sébastien Erard (1786), 4 harps loaned by the Institut de France, instruments from various private collections, and notably from the Gaveau-Erard-Pleyel fund deposited in 2009 at Palais Lascaris by the AXA Company.
Among the various collaborations for this exhibition, the Museo dell’arpa Victor Salvi, in Piasco, Italy, is the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to the harp. Located at the entrance of the Varaita Valley, above the Salvi manufacture, one of the world’s largest harp makers, this museum will lend on this occasion one of the oldest double-action harps by Sébastien Erard (Paris, 1817).
This exhibition will be accompanied by various associated events:
May 13, 2011, at 8 PM at the Chapelle de la Miséricorde, concert by Sylvain BLASSEL, on an Erard harp (in partnership with “Les amis de la Harpe”),
June 18, 2011, at 4 PM at the Palais Lascaris, concert by Duo Sébastien Erard (Virginie Tarrête, Erard harp and Alain Roudier, Erard pianoforte). Free entry subject to availability,
October 8, 2011, at 4 PM at the Palais Lascaris, concert “Around the Naderman harp of the Palais Lascaris” by Maria Christina Clear. Free entry subject to availability,
December 2, 2011, at 8:30 PM closing concert of the Erard year and the invention of the modern harp at the Auditorium of the CNRR in Nice: Kikta “La luce delle tacite stelle” for mixed choir, soprano, baritone, and harp sextet, Andrès “Un prince oriental” for soprano baritone mixed choir, flute, oboe, double bass and harp sextet.
Ensemble Vocalita, conducted by Jacques Maes. Free entry. In partnership with the association of the Amis de la Harpe.
