Book Helena Ricci, Harpist in London

Q: What do your clients love most about your performances?

I am known for my virtuosic playing, original repertoire, charismatic personality and great communication skills.

Q: Which venues have you performed at in the past?

I have performed throughout Europe in venues and acclaimed festivals, such as Wigmore Hall, Barbican, LSO St Luke's, Palacio de Festivales in Spain, Guildhall, Mansion House, Westfield Shopping Centre, Vienna Konzerthaus, City of London churches and corporations, and many more!

Q: Which artists have you been most influenced by?

I listen to a lot of classical music of course by players like Víkingur Ólafsson, Martin Fröst, Xavier de Maistre, but also French Chanson like William Sheller, Pink Martini, pop music by the likes of Stromae, Yodelice, and many movie soundtracks lately.

Q: What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

I have performed with critical acclaim at high-profile events for celebrities and VIP galas. Some of my recent concerts include solo appearances at Wigmore Hall, playing for the Mayor of London at Mansion House, Annual Sugar Association, BNP Paribas, World Travel Market, Centro Botin Anniversary in the presence of its architect Renzo Piano (Shard).

Q: What if my timings change after I've booked you?

I will always try my best to be flexible to help ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. If timings change slightly in the run up to the event just let me know.

Q: How much time do you need to set up?

I usually set up 45 minutes in advance to allow enough time to meet you, confirm last minute details, tune the harp and get ready for your event.

Q: Is the transport of your harp included in your quote?

Yes for London zone 1-2. Outside of these, additional charges may vary.

Q: Do you need any equipment provided to play outdoors?

None at all - my instrument is played acoustically so I don't need any equipment. If it is raining then I will need full cover or to perform indoors as my instrument is valuable and could be damaged.

Q: Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

My set lists are crafted from countless performances and learning what works best to ensure guests have an amazing time. However, I am definitely happy to chat through and make sure we find what works for your event.

Q: Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

If a song isn't included in my song list there may still be a chance I already know it. If there is a special piece you like, there is an additional fee of £65 - taking into account learning and rehearsal time. I would kindly ask you to give me 10 days' notice for a song request so that I can perform it to my usual high standard.

Check availability and get a free quote now - no commitment to book

From£300

1 hour

Like Helena?

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Watch & Listen

Watch

Listen

1-3 of 18 videos

Piazzolla - Libertango, Helena Ricci Harp

Take Five for solo harp

Comptine d'un autre été from movie Amelie - Harp

About Helena

***** The London Harpist ***** Trailblazing award-winning virtuoso harpist with a radiant personality, guaranteed to wow your guests

3 of 25 photos

Harpist

London

Public liability insurance of £1 million

"A natural storyteller" "Sensitive, elegant, refined playing - a true artist to behold" Helena is an award-winning virtuoso harpist with a charismatic personality, praised for her communication on and off stage. With an entrepreneurial spirit, Helena has the ambition to spread classical music and present the harp as a solo instrument to wider audiences. A recent graduate from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London with the highest honours, Helena has appeared solo at prestigious venues such as the Wigmore Hall, Barbican Hall, Milton Court, LSO St-Luke’s, Centro Botin with the Encuentro de Santander Academy in Spain. She toured with the Philharmonie der Animato Orchestra throughout Europe with a final concert at the Vienna Konzerthaus. This Summer 2019 Helena took part in the prestigious Britten-Pears “Composition and Performance Course”, was selected for the Orchestre de la Francophonie in Canada, the European Union Youth Wind Orchestra EUYWO in Luxembourg and also as a reserve for the Schleswig-Holstein Festival Academy in Germany and London Philharmonic Orchestra Foyle Future First Artist. She was one of the ten European musicians to be selected for the Tuning In Artist Programme in Partnership with the MDW University of Vienna, Mica Austria and the European Union. She has played in the West End with the London Musical Theatre Orchestra. Helena has already played for numerous festivals, among which the LIFT Festival, the Curious Festival, Culture Mile, Fetes de la Musique in Switzerland and has recently been invited to take part in the Aldeburgh Festival in 2022. She is currently a DEBUT Horizon Artist. Helena Ricci has won many awards and is grateful for the support from the Help Musicians Postgraduate Awards, Irene Denereaz and SUISA Foundations, Henry Wood Trust, Chizel Educational Trust, Kathleen Trust and Guildhall School Trust.

Helena on Instagram

Encore badges

2nd Anniversary

This act has been working with Encore for over 2 years

Musicianship

Genres:

Classical, Baroque, Classical crossover, Contemporary classical, Film / TV music, Acoustic

See all genres

Instruments:

Harp

See all instruments

Event types:

Concert, Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve

See all event types

Other skills:

Transcription, Fluent improviser, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching

See all skills

Song list

Have a song in mind? Check out some of my repertoire below. If you cannot find THE special song you want for your event, reach out and I would be happy to arrange it for you.

In alphabetical order

>> MOST REQUESTED CLASSICS<<

1st Gymnopedie (Satie)

A Thousand years (Christina Perri)

Beautiful love

Blue Danube waltz (Strauss)

Bridal chorus (Wagner)

Canon in D (Pachelbel)

Clair de lune (Debussy)

Comptine d'un autre ete (Yann Tiersen - Amelie soundtrack)

Consolation n3 (Liszt)

Dance of the Sugar Plum fairy (Tchaikovsky arr. J. Yap)

Everybody loves somebody

Happy Birthday

Jeux interdits - romance

La vie en rose

Let it be (Beatles)

Meditation from Thais (Massenet)

Misty

Moonlight sonata (Beethoven)

Perfect (Ed Sheeran)

Pink Panther

Prelude in C major (Bach)

Recuerdos de la Alhambra (Tarrega)

River flows in you (Yiruma)

Silent night

Sonata in F minor K466 (Scarlatti)

Tale as old as time (Beauty and the Beast)

Tea for two

Una mattina (Einaudi)

Waltz in B minor (Chopin)

Wedding march (Mendelssohn)

>>VIRTUOSO CLASSICAL SOLO RECITAL REPERTOIRE<<

ROMANTICS

ALBENIZ - Asturias

BENZECRY - Alwa (Dawn)

CHOPIN - Waltz in B minor

GODEFROID - Etude de Concert in Eb minor

LISZT - Nightingale

LISZT - Consolation n3

PAGANINI - Caprice 24 (arr. Mchedelov)

PIAZZOLLA - Libertango

PROKOFIEV - Prelude in C Major

PROKOFIEV - Romeo & Juliet: Dance of the Knights

SCHUMANN - Vogel als Prophet

SMETANA - Moldau

SPOHR - Fantasy in C minor

TARREGA - Recuerdos de la Alhambra

TCHAIKOVSKY - Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from "Nutcracker Suite"

BELOVED FRENCH IMPRESSIONISTS

DEBUSSY - Clair de lune

DEBUSSY - Jardins sous la pluie

DEBUSSY - Valse romantique

HASSELMANS - Follets

PIERNE - Impromptu – Caprice, Op. 9

RENIE - Ballade Fantastique

RENIE - Legende

TOURNIER - Au matin

BAROQUE BEADS

BACH - Prelude & Fugue in C minor

BACH - Suite in C minor BWV 997

BACH - Toccata & Fugue in D minor

DAQUIN - the Cuckoo

RAMEAU - Rappel des Oiseaux

SCARLATTI - Sonatas D minor K77

SCARLATTI - Sonata in A major K208

SCARLATTI - Sonata D minor K213

SCARLATTI - Sonata in F minor K466

>>MUSIC FOR YOUR EVENT - SPICIER POP AND JAZZ<<

1st Gymnopedie (Satie)

Ain't Misbehavin'

Alice in Wonderland

Amazing grace

A Thousand years (Christina Perri)

Autumn leaves

Beautiful love

Because

Blest be the tie that binds

Blue Danube waltz (Strauss)

Bridal Chorus (Wagner)

Comptine d'un autre ete (Yann Tiersen - Amelie soundtrack)

Dance of the Sugar Plum fairy (Tchaikovsky arr. J. Yap)

Days of wine and roses

Dream

Dr Zhivago's Lara's theme

Einaudi - Una mattina

El condor pasa

Everybody loves somebody

Fly me to the moon

Fools rush in

Happy Birthday

Harpicide at midnight

Havah nagilah

Hole in the wall

How high the moon

I got rhythm (Gershwin)

It's been a long, long time

Jesus Christ Superstar - I don't know how to love him

Jeux interdits - romance

La vie en rose

Let it be

Lover, come back to me

Lullaby (Brahms)

Mad World (Gary Jules)

Meditation from Thais (Massenet)

Minuet in G (Bach)

Misty

My funny valentine

Moonglow

Moonlight sonata (Beethoven)

Ne me quitte pas

O Danny boy

Ode to joy (Beethoven)

Oft in the stilly night

O Perfect love

Pachelbel's Canon in D

Perfect (Ed Sheeran)

Pink Panther

Prelude in C major (Bach)

Rhythm of the rain

River flows in you (Yiruma)

Sambalele

Secret love

Siciliana (Bach)

Softly, as in a morning sunrise

Somebody loves me

Stairway to heaven

Take five

Tale as old as time (Beauty and the Beast)

Tea for Two

Ten past two

The shadow of your smile

The sound of music (Rodgers)

Time after time

Una Mattina (Einaudi)

Waltz (Johnson)

Waves of the Danube

Wedding march (Mendelssohn)

When the saints go marchin' in

>>CHRISTMAS CAROLS<<

Angels from the realms of glory

As with gladness men of gold

Away in a manger

Brightness and best

Christians awake

Cry out and shout

Good king Wenceslas

God rest, merry gentlemen

It came upon the midnight clear

Once in royal David's city

Silent night

The holly and the ivy

While shepherds watched

>>CONCERTOS WITH ORCHESTRA<<

HANDEL G.F - Concerto in B Major Op.4 n.6 (HWV 294)

DEBUSSY Claude - Danse sacrée et danse profane

MOZART W.- Amadeus - Concerto for Flute and Harp in C Major (K299)

RAVEL Maurice - Introduction and Allegro (hp, fl, cl, str quartet)

>>CHAMBER MUSIC<<

*cello*

RICCI Helena - Homélie (on Baudelaire's poem «The Cracked Bell»)

SAINT-SAENS Camille - The Swan

*flute*

IBERT Jacques - Entr’acte

PIAZZOLLA Astor - Histoire du Tango: Bordel 1900

SAINT-SAENS Camille - Fantaisie Op. 124

*harp duo*

ANDRES Bernard - Parvis

RICCI Helena - Rhapsodie

*violin*

FAURE Gabriel - Berceuse Op.14

SAINT-SAENS Camille - Fantaisie Op. 124

WILM Nicolaï von - Duo Op.156

*saxophone*

HASSELMANS Alphonse - Confidences

VILLA-LOBOS Heitor - O Canto do Cysne Negro

*mixed ensembles*

BERIO Luciano - Folksongs

BRITTEN Benjamin - A Ceremony of Carols Op.28 (choir)

DEBUSSY Claude - Trio sonata for flute, viola and harp

RONTSIS Dimitrios - Savo (soprano, hp, cl)

RONTSIS Dimitrios - Involuta Septempunctata (mezzo, oboe, harp)

SNOER Johannes - Preghiera Op.35 (violin, cello, harp)

Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

I am known for my virtuosic playing, original repertoire, charismatic personality and great communication skills.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

I have performed throughout Europe in venues and acclaimed festivals, such as Wigmore Hall, Barbican, LSO St Luke's, Palacio de Festivales in Spain, Guildhall, Mansion House, Westfield Shopping Centre, Vienna Konzerthaus, City of London churches and corporations, and many more!

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

I listen to a lot of classical music of course by players like Víkingur Ólafsson, Martin Fröst, Xavier de Maistre, but also French Chanson like William Sheller, Pink Martini, pop music by the likes of Stromae, Yodelice, and many movie soundtracks lately.

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

I have performed with critical acclaim at high-profile events for celebrities and VIP galas. Some of my recent concerts include solo appearances at Wigmore Hall, playing for the Mayor of London at Mansion House, Annual Sugar Association, BNP Paribas, World Travel Market, Centro Botin Anniversary in the presence of its architect Renzo Piano (Shard).

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

I will always try my best to be flexible to help ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. If timings change slightly in the run up to the event just let me know.

How much time do you need to set up?

I usually set up 45 minutes in advance to allow enough time to meet you, confirm last minute details, tune the harp and get ready for your event.

Is the transport of your harp included in your quote?

Yes for London zone 1-2. Outside of these, additional charges may vary.

Do you need any equipment provided to play outdoors?

None at all - my instrument is played acoustically so I don't need any equipment. If it is raining then I will need full cover or to perform indoors as my instrument is valuable and could be damaged.

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

My set lists are crafted from countless performances and learning what works best to ensure guests have an amazing time. However, I am definitely happy to chat through and make sure we find what works for your event.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

If a song isn't included in my song list there may still be a chance I already know it. If there is a special piece you like, there is an additional fee of £65 - taking into account learning and rehearsal time. I would kindly ask you to give me 10 days' notice for a song request so that I can perform it to my usual high standard.

Prices

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Performance duration	Price
Short performance (up to 15 min)	£200
Up to 1 hour	£300
Up to 2 hours	£380
Up to 3 hours	£460

Charity event

I believe in charity work and would love to be part of your event. For this I offer a discounted performance as a gesture towards the charity. My price £180 includes 1h30 background music to add this special touch to make the event unforgettable and a great success.

£230

Recording session

Have a recording to do? No problem, I got you covered. I have experience in solo, chamber, and studio and orchestra recordings across all genres. Let's make your project happen! My fee includes a 2h recording session

£250

Choir/ Church service

1 performance of up to 1h during a church service or choir rehearsal + performance on the same day

£270

Funeral

Losing a loved one is hard enough. I want to accompany you during this emotional moment, so that the harp can soothe you, bring some consolation during this painful time in your life and that of your family and friends. I offer contemplation music such as Liszt's Consolation, Chopin Nocturnes, Debussy Clair de Lune, Satie, and if you have a particular song in mind for the ceremony do get in touch and I will do my best to make this possible for the memory of your loved one.

£330

Drinks reception

Two performances of up to 45 mins each during your drinks reception

£330

Drinks reception

Two performances of up to 45 mins each during your drinks reception

£340

Wedding ceremony

This includes music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave.

£350

Corporate event 2h

Surprise your guests with soothing, relaxing, uplifting harp music. They will absolutely love it and this will add that special touch to make your event unforgettable and a great success.

£380

New Year's Eve

Celebrate New Year's Eve with some uplifting, soothing, relaxing harp music. Ideal for family or friends gatherings. My price includes 2h30 background music (with 10 min rest between each 50' set) so that you can have a lovely dinner accompanied by delightful harp that will make this special time fo the year truly unforgettable.

£500

Wedding ceremony + Drinks reception + Dinner

- Music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave. - 2 x 45 min performances at the drinks reception. - 2 x 45 min performances as dinner is being served.

£600

Personalised Music Message

Book me to create a unique music video for you to send to a friend as a gift. This could be a birthday message, first dance song for a wedding anniversary, or just your friend's favourite song to cheer them up.

£15

Digital music party

I'll host an hour's entertainment for your virtual party. Includes a 'guess that tune' quiz with music from all genres and era (so better have knowledgeable guests) and sing along tunes Book yours today! The video is an example of my recent VLOG for the London Musical Theatre Orchestra so you get a glimpse of my personality and playing style

£200

Bespoke music video

I'll produce a unique music video with professional recording equipment. I can customise the video with your own branding

£200

Online concert

I will play for you a one-hour solo concert with music from all genres, including classical, pop, covers, romantic, including your suggestions. The best Christmas present for your guests or family, it will brighten your day in this gloomy time An example of my live concert: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CBwIQiSgmKr/

£300

Helena

5 out of 5

14 verified reviews

Reviews

5 out of 5

Helena recently worked with us on a social distancing project in collaboration with Age UK, playing music over the phone to a client living with dementia. She made sure to tailor an eclectic mix of songs that the client had requested, expertly transposing these to harp. During the call, Helena built an instant rapport with the client, going above and beyond to make sure they were comfortable and settled before proceeding to play beautifully. Helena is not only a fantastic harpist but is also punctual, reliable and a brilliant communicator and I look forward to working with her again in the future.

5 out of 5

"Helena was an absolute pleasure to work with on a devised, experimental and complex show for Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She brought such enthusiasm to the rehearsal room, was extremely adaptable, and her harp playing was outstanding - bringing a sense of calm and awe to both crew and audience." Jon Hare - Production Manager

Read all 14 reviews