Rossini e l’arpa a Napoli

The relationship between Gioachino Rossini and the harp is an often forgotten topic. Nevertheless, it is a very interesting and crucial aspect of his work. In this article we’ll investigate why he chose to compose for this instrument, starting from the Neapolitan phase of his career; how he writes for harp in the orchestra; and how his legacy in music inspired the next generations of composers. This research considers the cultural and historical background, and explores the roots of the Neapolitan harpschool (including the rise of the Conservatories and female educandatoes, and the tradition of travelling harpists). We’ll discover how Rossini implemented the way of writing for harp and how he contribute destablishing its present role in the orchestra. He was able to go beyond his tradition by transforming the harp from a mere instrument for accompanying the voice into a must-have of the modern orchestra. He supports the shift from the traditional Eighteenth-Century use of this instrument, to the more aware and thoughtful use that gave the harp its specific place in the Nineteenth-Century orchestra. Rossini introduces a new way of writing for harp. He emphasises the timbre and the expressive capacities of the harp, which were in the past only used as an ornament. From this point of view, his compositions are exemplary and a true source of inspiration for the future generations of composers.