Xavier de Maistre, harp recital | Santa Catalina Classics 2026verified
Harpist Xavier de Maistre gives a recital in the Santa Catalina Classics 2026 series at the Salones de Santa Catalina in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. He studied political science in Paris, won the principal harp post of the Vienna Philharmonic at 24 and left it in 2010 to focus on his solo career. He plays Händel, Liszt, Smetana, Fauré, Debussy and Renié, followed by a cocktail.
Before devoting himself to music, Xavier de Maistre studied political science in Paris. At 24 he won the principal harp post of the Vienna Philharmonic, and in 2010 he gave it up to show that the harp can take centre stage. He adapts orchestral works such as Smetana’s The Moldau for solo harp, researches forgotten pieces, commissions new compositions and works with harp makers on the instrument’s technical development.
The French government made him a Knight of Arts and Letters; he is a UNICEF ambassador, supports the Red Cross and set up a foundation that provides musical instruments to children in low-resource areas. The programme features Händel, Liszt, Smetana’s The Moldau arranged for solo harp, Fauré, Debussy and Renié. Afterwards, a cocktail gives the audience a chance to talk with the artist. Tickets from €35. The recital is on Friday 6 November 2026 at 20:00 in the Salones de Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.