When it comes to the harp, Xavier de Maistre truly is a master of his craft. Most people don’t associate the harp with hot (not sorry) young French men, but Xavier breaks the mould of conventional classical artists in more ways than one. As well as not being what you expect visually, Xavier’s performances let the harp sing with a distinctive new voice, creating worlds of exquisite sensitivity. He combines his charisma with technical skill to perform pieces that are often only tackled by an entire orchestra, making his shows all the more impressive.

Artistic Director of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Paul Dyer has crafted a program that will make audiences swoon, capitalising on the romantic and sensuous nature of the harp while adding moments loaded with intimate intensity. Xavier will play one of the greatest of all harp concertos, written by French composer François-Adrien Boieldieu (who some called ‘The French Mozart’), plus a solo bracket with three famous works transcribed for harp that Xavier has been taking all around the world. The transposed pieces come from Spanish composer and guitarist Francisco Tárrega, Czech composer Bedřich Smetana and Spanish composer Manuel de Falla, all masters of their craft.

Ready to have Xavier de Maistre pluck at your heartstrings? He is performing for one night only with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra at QPAC on Tuesday May 15 – you can grab tickets here.