The Harp in the Orchestra

Throughout music history, the harp has established itself as a singular instrument within orchestral ensembles. From the seventeenth century with Claudio Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo, through the expansive orchestral canvases of Hector Berlioz and Richard Wagner, the refined impressionist writing of Debussy and Ravel, and into the twentieth century and the percussive sounds of Pierre Boulez, the harp has consistently enriched the symphonic sound world.

Through its arpeggios, harmonics, and characteristic glissandi, the harp contributes to the overall balance of the orchestra, at times, providing a delicate foundation and at others, a striking presence during solo passages.

Its versatility makes it an essential part of the modern orchestra. It also brings a distinctive sense of grace and elegance, enhancing the colour and cohesion of the ensemble, and maintaining its enduring place in both the classical repertoire and contemporary creations.

Around the world, these orchestras have chosen Camac

  • Austria
    • Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna
  • Belgium
    • Brussels Philharmonic (Vlaams Radio Orkest)
  • Bulgaria
    • National Opera and Ballet of Bulgaria, Sofia
    • National Music Theater, Sofia
    • Vratsa Symphony Orchestra
    • State Opera Varna
  • China
    • Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra
    • Orchestra of the National Center for Performing Arts (NCPA), Beijing
    • Orchestra of Song and Dance of the PLA, Beijing
    • Symphony Orchestra of the Opera of the PLA, Beijing
    • Symphony Orchestra of the China Opera, Beijing
    • Military Wind Ensemble of the PLA, Beijing
    • Yunnan Symphony Orchestra, Kunming
    • Shanxi Symphony Orchestra
    • Tianjin Symphony Orchestra
    • Chongqing Opera Orchestra
  • Croatia
    • Croatian National Theatre, Split
  • Czech Republic
    • Opera J.K. Tyl Theatre, Pilsen
  • France
    • Orchestre national de France, Paris
    • Orchestre national du Capitole, Toulouse
    • Orchestre national Bordeaux-Aquitaine, Bordeaux
    • Orchestre national de Strasbourg
    • Orchestre d’harmonie de l’Électricité de Strasbourg
    • Orchestre Pasdeloup, Paris
    • Orchestre philharmonique de la RATP, Paris
    • Musique des gardiens de la paix, Paris
    • Orchestre de la Garde républicaine, Paris
    • Orchestre de l’Opéra national de Paris
    • Orchestre Ensemble Intercontemporain, Paris
    • Orchestre universitaire de Lille
    • Orchestre de l’Opéra de Limoges
  • Georgia
    • Tsinandali Festival Orchestra
  • Germany
    • Berliner Philharmoniker, Berlin
    • Deutsche Oper, Berlin
    • Komische Oper, Berlin
    • Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Berlin
    • Hessischer Rundfunk Sinfonieorchester, Frankfurt
    • Bayerische Staatsoper, Munich
    • Gewandhausorchester, Leipzig
    • Sinfonieorchester Münster
    • Gürzenich Orchestra, Köln
    • Laeiszhalle Symphony Orchestra, Hamburg
  • Hungary
    • Szeged Symphony Orchestra
  • Italia
    • Orchestra del Teatro La Fenice di Venezia
    • Orchestra del Teatro Petruzzelli di Bari
  • Lithuania
    • Youth Symphony Orchestra Simfukai, Vilnius
  • Morocco
    • Morocco Philharmonic Orchestra, Casablanca
    • Royal Symphonic Orchestra, Rabat
  • The Netherlands
    • Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam
    • Het Gelders Orkest, Arnhem
    • Philharmonie Zuidnederland, Maastricht
    • Noord Nederlands Orkest, Groningen
    • Het Residentie Orkest, Den Haag
  • North Korea
    • Philharmonic Orchestra of the DPRK, Pyongyang
  • Peru
    • National Symphony Orchestra, Lima
    • Sinfonía por el Peru, Lima
  • Poland
    • National Philharmonic Orchestra, Warsaw
    • National Opera, Warsaw
    • Filharmonia Szczecin
  • Portugal
    • Orquestra Gulbenkian, Lisbon
    • Banda Da Armada Portuguesa, Lisbon
  • Qatar
    • Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, Doha
  • Russia
    • Presidential Orchestra, Moscow
    • Russian National Orchestra, Moscow
    • Sverdlosk State Philharmony, Ekaterinburg
    • Opera and Ballet Theater, Yekaterinburg
  • Singapore – Malaisia
    • Singapore National Youth Orchestra
    • Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO)
    • Singapore Chinese Youth Orchestra (SYCO)
    • Singapore Armed Forced Bands Orchestra (SAF)
    • National University of Singapore Orchestra (NUS)
    • Singapore School of the Arts Orchestra (SOTA)
    • Anglo Chinese School Orchestra, Singapore
    • Nanyang Girls’ High School Orchestra, Singapore
    • National Technology University Orchestra (NTU)
    • Anglo Chinese Girls School Harp Ensemble (ACJC)
    • Sri Cempaka School Orchestra (Malaysia)
  • Spain
    • National Orchestra of Spain, Madrid
    • Orquestra Sinfonica de Alicante
    • Orquesta Simfonica de les Illes Balears
    • Orquestra Simfonica de Barcelona, OBC
  • Sweden
    • Norrköpings Symphony Orchestra, Norrköping
  • Switzerland
    • Berner Symphonieorchester, Berne
    • Orchester Musikkollegium, Winterthur
    • Kultur-und Kongresszentrum Luzern (KKL), Luzern
    • Basel Sinfonietta, Basel