Harp music will resound through the city of Chicago from June 4 through 7, when Lyon & Healy celebrates its 150th anniversary with a festival of concerts, masterclasses, exhibits and tours of the Lyon & Healy harp factory, located just west of the Loop.
Lyon & Healy has invited many of the world's greatest harpists to perform and give masterclasses at the 150th Birthday Festival, which will be held at Lyon & Healy Hall, the Chicago Cultural Center and several other Chicago venues. Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune noted that Mayor Rahm Emanuel has declared June 4 "Lyon & Healy Harps Day" in Chicago in honor of this event.
Lyon & Healy was established in 1864 as a sheet music company in Chicago. It wasn't until 25 years later, in 1889, that the company began making harps.
It's hard to believe that these ornate golden harps, played in many of the great orchestras of the world, are still made right here in Chicago. The handcrafted harps are a throwback to the 19th Century tradition of fine wood- and metalworking that has all but disappeared from this city.
Harpists performing at the festival include Marie-Pierre Langlamet, principal harpist of the Berlin Philharmonic; Remy van Kesteren, first prize winner of the USA International Harp Competition; jazz harpist Park Stickney, and many others. Chamber groups include the Aletheia Duo and the Chicago Harp Quartet.
For a complete listing of artists and festival events, please visit lyonhealy.com.
Note that registration to attend the entire festival closes on June 3 at 5:00 p.m. Some concerts and masterclassses will be open to the general public.
