Marianna - Classic Harp in Venice Verona Classic and Celtic Harp for Weddings and Events - Harpist in Venice Verona

That's a great and practical question! To ensure a seamless and magical performance, here are my basic technical requirements for any venue:

📐 Basic Technical Requirements for the Harp
1. Space
Minimum Area: I require a clear space of approximately 2 meters by 2 meters (6.5 ft x 6.5 ft) to comfortably accommodate the harp, my stool, and the music stand.

Placement: The surface must be level and stable (no uneven grass, gravel, or steep slopes). Please ensure the area is clear of guest traffic.

2. Environment & Protection
Temperature & Humidity: Harps are sensitive instruments. The performance area must be kept at a stable temperature (not too close to radiators, air conditioners, or direct heat sources).

Outdoor Events: For any outdoor event, full shade and protection from the weather (sun, rain, wind, and dampness) is mandatory. A sturdy marquee, gazebo, or covered patio is required. I cannot perform outdoors without overhead cover and solid flooring.

Location of Performance: Is the performance indoors (e.g., church, villa, hall) or outdoors (e.g., garden, courtyard)?

Access and Stairs: What is the specific route to the performance area? Are there stairs? If so, how many flights, and is there an elevator? (Harps are large and heavy, so this is crucial).

Parking/Unloading: Where can I unload the harp, and how close is that spot to the performance area? Is a reserved parking spot available?

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The "best venue" for a harpist is one that offers not only stunning visual appeal but also flawless acoustics and thoughtful logistics.

The Venue: A grand, historic Orangery or Conservatory with high glass ceilings and stone walls, surrounded by manicured gardens.

Weddings and Events

Performance Portfolio: My experience spans hundreds of events across both private and public sectors:

Weddings: Performing at over a hundred ceremonies (both civil and religious) and receptions, mastering the art of timing music perfectly to emotional moments.

Corporate Events: Providing elegant background music for gala dinners, product launches, and high-profile receptions at major hotels and corporate venues.

Orchestral/Ensemble Work: Having experience performing with chamber ensembles (e.g., Harp & Flute duo) and occasionally with regional orchestras.

That's a fantastic set of questions! As the harpist, my influences are naturally diverse, drawing from both the classical stage and the traditional folk world.

🎵 My Greatest Influences
My style, which bridges the elegant and the traditional, is shaped by a few key artists:

Marcel Grandjany (Classical Harp): For technique and composition. Grandjany's focus on purity of tone and expressive phrasing is the foundation of my classical playing. He is a cornerstone of the 20th-century French harp school.

Loreena McKennitt (Celtic/World Music): A powerful influence for her use of the Celtic harp in a modern, cinematic context. Her ability to blend traditional airs with mystical, layered arrangements inspires my own approach to creating an ethereal atmosphere at events.

Turlough O'Carolan (Historical/Celtic Composer): The blind Irish harper and composer from the 17th and 18th centuries. His work is the gold standard for Celtic harp repertoire, embodying both the charm and dignity of the tr

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Arrival & Unloading 60 - 90 minutes before performance starts This time is crucial for safely moving the harp from the vehicle to the performance area. Requires clear access.
Setup & Tuning Included in arrival time Harps are sensitive to temperature changes; this time allows the instrument to settle and be tuned perfectly before guests arrive.
Minimum Required Prelude 15 - 30 minutes before the ceremony/event start I begin playing quiet background music as guests arrive. This sets the atmosphere and avoids silence.

The harp must be placed under a sturdy, waterproof structure (e.g., a solid gazebo, a large umbrella, or a covered patio).

This is non-negotiable, as even a small, sudden drizzle or prolonged direct sunlight can cause serious and permanent damage to the wood and the intricate mechanisms of the harp.

Ceremony: You will choose the specific pieces for the Processional (Aisle Walk), the Signing of the Register/Vows, and the Recessional (Exit). This ensures those emotional milestones are set to music that is deeply meaningful to you.

Special Requests: If there is a particular favorite song—whether classical, pop, or traditional—that is not on my standard list, I am happy to learn it.

That's a wonderful question. Hearing directly from clients is the best way to understand the impact of the performance.

Based on the feedback I consistently receive across weddings and events, previous clients most commonly describe my harp performances using these key terms:

💖 How Clients Describe My Harp Performances
1. Elegant and Sophisticated
The most frequent compliment relates to the overall atmosphere. Clients often say the music created a tone of "unmatched elegance" and "sophistication," particularly when referencing the Classical repertoire (Pachelbel, Bach) played on the Concert Harp.

2. Magical and Ethereal
When clients describe the Celtic or contemporary selections (McKennitt, Einaudi), the words shift to more evocative terms like "magical," "otherworldly," and "ethereal." This is especially true for outdoor ceremonies or evening receptions where the sound of the Celtic Harp blends beautifully with the setting.