Originally from Switzerland and now based in London (UK) Helena Ricci is rapidly gaining reputation as a virtuoso harpist with a unique creative and free spirit, praised for her insightful, memorable playing, communication on and off stage and engaging personality. A fervent believer in carving her own path as an entrepreneurial musician outside of the traditional competition one, Ricci is a trailblazing ambassador of the harp as a solo instrument. Through her project MUSILUX she is redefining classical concerts as immersive experiences. Helena Ricci is a Hattori Foundation Senior Awardee 2022, DEBUT Horizon artist and City Music Foundation Artist 2022.

Ricci graduated from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London with the highest honours where she studied with Imogen Barford. Recent solo appearances include venues such as the Wigmore Hall, Tivoli Vredenburg, Milton Court, LSO St-Luke’s, St James Piccadilly, Centro Botin with the prestigious Encuentro de Santander Academy in Spain. Recently she stepped in within 36 hours to play an acclaimed solo concert at the Royal Opera House as part of their “Live at Lunch” series. As a principal harpist she toured with the Philharmonie der Animato Orchestra throughout Europe with a final concert at the Vienna Konzerthaus. She has played for HM The King Charles III, appeared live on radio for Resonance FM as part of “Sounds Promising”. After the success of her single release which was featured in Spotify “New Classical Music” playlist, she is now working on her first full solo album.

Ricci is in high demand as a harpist and collaborator. She was the solo harpist for “Sensory Symphony” in collaboration with Broadgate, the only harpist for the Britten-Pears Young Artist “Composition and Performance Course” 2019. Despite the pandemic she made her West End debut with the London Musical Theatre Orchestra last December while giving regular concerts for Age UK Camden and the U3A organisation. 

Passionate about promoting the harp to a wider audience and challenging the perception of classical music, she is the founder of MUSILUX, an innovative project which produces immersive concerts combining classical music and video projections. She has been selected as a Guildhall Creative Entrepreneur 2019/20 and Tuning in! Artist in partnership with MDW Vienna to build and launch this creative enterprise and has led two research & development residencies so far.

Helena Ricci plays a uniquely red pedal harp, manufactured by David Harps in Switzerland in the bucolic village of Sainte-Croix where luxury Swiss watches are made.

Outside of music, Helena Ricci is a keen photographer. Her video for Brian & Roger Eno’s “Cerulean Blue” was a winner in the Mixing Colours competition and subsequently selected as the official video released on the Deutsche Grammophon label.

For direct inquiries, corporate and private events or collaborations feel free to use the contact form here; for concert bookings if you are inquiring on behalf of a festival or venue, please contact the City Music Foundation Artist Manager Ms Latana Phoung latana.phoung@citymusicfoundation.org or +44 (0)20 7600 7600