Bringing the Majesty of the Harp Closer to Home at Toronto International Harp Festival 2026

Written by Fête Chinoise Editorial Team (Kayla Lo).
Photo Credits: Toronto International Harp Festival

Summer Institute: July 6 - 10th | Festival: July 11 - 12th

There is a timeless grace to the harp that makes it easy to admire. With its sweeping silhouette and gentle, ambient sound, it is an instrument many of us are content to enjoy from a comfortable distance, appreciating its elegance at a special event or as a soothing component in a classical concert. Yet, because it carries such an aura of rarefied prestige, we often rarely get the chance to truly step inside its world or see it as a modern, dynamic storyteller.

This July, the Toronto International Harp Festival 2026 returns for its second year to warmly invite the public behind the curtain. Guided by the theme “World’s Heritage. Canada’s Harmony,” the festival is a celebration designed to show how this magnificent instrument can speak directly to modern audiences through the universal language of music, storytelling, and community.

Photo Credits: Toronto International Harp Festival

While iHarpFest is a major international event, its foundation is a homegrown story. Festival Artistic Director Andrew Chan has spent over a decade building a vibrant harp community in the GTA through his Markham-based school, Harps on the Hill. Long before inviting global masters to Toronto, Andrew was doing the essential work locally, nurturing young talent and making the instrument accessible to anyone with a passion for music.

By hosting this year’s international gathering at two of Toronto's most culturally inclusive spaces, The Ismaili Centre and the Aga Khan Museum, located right next to each other, the festival is inviting the local community to fully join the world of the harp.

The Weekend Concert Lineup

For the public looking to experience the harp in a completely fresh, engaging light, the weekend offers an array of showcase performances:

50 Harps. One Sound. Toronto Voices Unite.

Saturday, July 11th | 3:00 PM | The Ismaili Centre

50 harps share a single stage. Featuring the world premiere of "As the Swallow Flies," this extraordinary performance brings local and international players together in a unified creative space. A collective Canadian harmony showcasing the harp’s unique ability to bridge diverse cultures and centuries through one magnificent sound.

Harp Concerto Night with the NBO

Saturday, July 11th | 7:30 PM | The Ismaili Centre

The National Broadcasting Orchestra takes center stage under the baton of maestro Ken Hsieh. This evening of grandeur brings to life rarely heard classical masterworks by Wagenseil, Krumpholz, Steffan, and T.C. Kelly, composers who reimagined the harp as a vehicle of sweeping virtuosity. A brilliant constellation of international soloists joins the orchestra to reveal the true symphonic power of the instrument.

Harpist to Her Majesty

Sunday, July 12th | 2:00 PM | Aga Khan Museum

This remarkable concert revives the stately, regal music originally composed for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. The repertoire honors the legacy of John Thomas, the legendary “Chief Musician of Wales” and Her Majesty’s personal harpist, illustrating how the instrument has long united people in celebration and tradition.

Finale: Harp Meets Theatre — “Woman on a Ledge”

Sunday, July 12th | 7:30 PM | Aga Khan Museum

In a stunning fusion of drama and music, Rita Costanzi, former principal harpist of the CBC Radio and Vancouver Symphony Orchestras, presents the Toronto premiere of her acclaimed solo play, “Women on a Ledge”. Breaking all classical conventions, this powerful one-woman production portrays the harp as a live character and confidante. Through storytelling and live performance, Costanzi explores the emotional depths of an artist's journey, proving the instrument's profound resonance in modern theatre.

Festival Collection Exhibitions: Tribute to Queen Marie Antoinette & Cousineau

July 11 - 12th, 2026 | The Ismaili Centre & Aga Khan Museum (Included with any concert ticket admission)

Discover the soul of the instrument through a curated showcase of historical and modern harps, documentaries, and sculptures. The highlight of the exhibition is an exquisite 18th-century pedal harp crafted in the 1780s by Cousineau, official luthier to Queen Marie Antoinette, under whose influence the harp became the height of Parisian fashion. Lovingly preserved across generations from Paris to Toronto, family lore suggests this magnificent heirloom was a direct gift from the French Court.

Nurturing Future Talent: The International Summer Institute

The festival is also hosting an intensive Summer Institute from July 6 to 10th at the All Nations Event Centre in Markham, an exceptional opportunity for harp students to study with world-renowned artists. The program is led by Catherine Michel of Paris, a distinguished authority on the French harp tradition, and Kathleen Bride, Professor Emerita at the Eastman School of Music. The 2026 faculty and guest artists include international luminaries Sarah Bullen, Jana Boušková, Frances Duffy, and Andrew Chan.

Art has a unique ability to surprise us when we allow ourselves to draw closer to it. Step into these beautiful spaces this July, support a homegrown vision over ten years in the making, and experience a weekend of exceptional music, elegance, and shared heritage!

For tickets and visitor information, please visit www.iharpfest.com. Concert Series Pass and Festival Weekend Passes are now available.

Fête Chinoise readers can enjoy 10% off festival tickets with the promo code FeteChinoise10.

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