Marie Antoinette & Her Passion For The Harp

Description
Did you know that Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France, was truly passionate about the harp? Take a minute to get the scoop!

Fun Fact
When Marie Antoinette arrived in Paris in 1770, the harp was already a relatively widespread instrument in Paris. However, her unwavering passion for the instrument was partially responsible for inspiring a veritable harp craze.
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Transcript

Marie Antoinette, was the last queen of France before the French Revolution. She possessed artistic talents, excelling as a singer and dancer. But her favoured instrument was the harp, which she passionately studied. 

Marie Antoinette frequently held harp concerts at her courts, and her music studies, including harp lessons, were guided by Christoph Gluck. Under Gluck's tutelage, she learned the harpsichord and flute, evolving into a skilled singer, and possibly even trying her hand at composition. 

Music at Marie Antoinette's court served not only as social pleasure but also conveyed a life of privilege, refinement, and wealth. Recent scholarship suggests the harp was more than a musical instrument; it served as a social prop, symbolising sensuality and elegance. 

Magnificently decorated harps, such as the one gifted to Marie Antoinette, became prized "objets d’art," reflecting the opulence of the era and often showcased in dedicated rooms.