The Arena di Verona Orchestra has appointed Valerio Lisci principal harpist. “I’m really happy to have won this position,” Lisci says. “The orchestra has a prestigious summer festival, held in the Roman arena of the city [of Verona, Italy]. It also performs during the rest of the year in the Teatro Filarmonico, both operas and symphonic programs. Every year [the Arena] brings audiences from all over the world and [high-caliber] artists, musicians, and singers as well.” Lisci says he looks forward to working with the other musicians at the Arena di Verona. The Italian harpist adds, “Of course a ..read more

The Korea International Harp Competition (KIHC) is open for registration. The competition is set to take place April 24–28, 2024, in Seoul, South Korea. The application deadline is January 31, 2024. The competition is open to applicants of all nationalities born in 1992 or later and is divided into four categories by age. Co-directors Jung Kwak and María Luisa Rayan hold this event every two years. In the most recent KIHC, held in 2022, Virginia Pestugia (Italy) won first prize in the Young Professional division. For more information about applications and repertoire requirements, visit the co ..read more

Anneleen Lenaerts has released a single from her upcoming album. Her single “Morgen,” is available now on streaming platforms. The complete new digital album, More Stories, will be released on Warner Classics & Erato on January 26, 2024. The album features arrangements of lieder, operas, and a piano solo. Her last album, Vienna Stories, also celebrates her experiences as the solo harpist for the Vienna Philharmonic and Vienna State Opera. The album will be available on major streaming platforms including Apple Music, Deezer, and Spotify. To learn more, check out Harp Column‘s cover intervi ..read more

Welsh harpist Catrin Finch and duo partner Aoife Ní Bhriain (violin) reached number one on World Music Charts Europe in December 2023 for their debut album Double You. Learn more about Finch in Harp Column’s cover interview in our March/April 2020 issue ..read more

The State Opera Ruse in Bulgaria has announced harp auditions to be held December 15. Applications are due December 12. Members of the orchestra perform symphonic, operatic, operetta, and ballet works. Please see the audition listing for more information ..read more

The Soka-Nippon International Harp Competition has announced the repertoire for its 35th contest, which will take place Nov. 10–17, 2024, in Soka City, Japan. The competition is open to harpists of all nationalities and is divided into three categories by age. For a list of required repertoire, visit the competition website. Application information will be posted at a later date ..read more

The Filarmonica de Queretaro in Mexico has appointed Joana Téllez Sosa principal harpist following its recent auditions. Téllez Sosa has won multiple prizes at the Mexico International Harp Competition, including first prize in the Intermediate II category in 2017 ..read more

The Basel International Online Harp Competition 2023 has announced its results. The competition was open to contestants of all nationalities and was divided into six categories by age. Mitsumi Okamoto of Japan won first prize and the semi-grand prize in category F (harpists 26 to 35 years old). The semi-grand prize includes 100,000 Japanese yen and an invitation to a solo recital or joint recital at a well-known recital hall in Japan, with accommodation, in May 2024. Katia Mestrovic (Australia) was the third prize winner. Rena Kojima of Japan won first prize in category E (harpists 22 to 25 ye ..read more

The Global Music Awards of 2023 has awarded 2tone, a duo featuring harpist Cindy Horstman and bassist Michael Medina, the Bronze Medal in the instrumental division for their composition and production of “Remembering” from their album Duets. “We are thrilled to receive this honor! This piece is dedicated to my late father, whose love and support of my musical career was never-ending,” Horstman says. The Global Music Awards is an international music competition that honors independent musicians for their creativity, musical skill, and emotional expression. For more information, visit 2tone ..read more

The Gewandhausorchester has announced an opening for one of its two full positions in harp, with auditions to be held May 21–22, 2024. The Gewandhausorchester performs at the Gewandhaus zu Leipzig, the Oper Leipzig, and the Thomaskirche. The ensemble began as a concert society founded in 1743, and adopted its current name in 1781. For more information and to apply, visit the orchestra’s website ..read more