Van Diemen’s Band has welcomed a new addition to its instrument library, 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 triple harp is a type of multi-course harp employing three parallel rows of strings instead of the more common single row.

The instrument was unveiled last night (Monday 19 November) 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.

The harp cost $50,000 including freight to Tasmania and was funded by a crowdfunding campaign organised by Van Diemen’s Band.

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.”

“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...