Van Diemen's Band has welcomed to its library a long-missing and highly sought after musical instrument, a baroque triple harp.
Made using a rare and flamed maple and inspired by the harp featured in a 1619 painting by Italian painter Domenico Zampieri, the 'Zampieri Harp' was created by German instrument maker Rainer Thurau.
The harp was unveiled last night at a ceremony in Hobart Town Hall by Minister for the Arts and Heritage, Madeleine Ogilvie, and attended by donors and supporters of the band.
"I am delighted that the Zampieri Harp has joined the instrument library of Van Diemen's Band. The harp will enhance the band's ability to deliver world-class performances and showcase the best of our local talent to audiences both local and further afield," said Minister Ogilvie.
The harp cost $50,000 including freight to Tasmania and was funded by a crowdfunding campaign organised by Van Diemen's Band.
Minister Ogilvie paid tribute to the more than 90 individual donors who helped to fund the harp, saying that, "Your ongoing support of Van Diemen's Band is a testament of the strength of the creative energies that exist in Tasmania."
"Having already provided the Van Diemen's Band with $160,000 in funding as part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future, the Tasmanian Government is proud to partner with the creative arts industry to support our state's leading chamber orchestra," said Minister Ogilvie.
The harp joins the existing instrument library of the Van Diemen's Band which includes a harpsichord, a chamber organ, and several string instruments.
