The leading international harp competition, scheduled for December, has been shut down after only two contestants registered. It has not been specified whether the withdrawals were due to a Gaza-war boycott of Israel, or over personal safety fears.
The Jerusalem-based competition has been running since 1959, inaugurated by Israel’s first prime minister David Ben-Gurion. The harp has historic significance in Israel as the personal instrument of the psalmist King David.
This year’s organiser, ex-MP Colette Ariel, said: ‘It’s a regrettable fact that Israel, and the arts in Israel, have become international lepers. The public in Israel need to be aware ofthe price we are paying.’
The post Harpists shun Israel, shutting down major competition appeared first on Slippedisc.
,%20Hilary%20Cronin%20(Melissa)%20and%20Rowan%20Pierce%20(Oriana)%20Credit_%20Genevieve%20Girling%20(1).jpg?w=160&resize=160,160&ssl=1 "Musically, an evening of complete enjoyment: Olivia Fuchs's playful 'Love Island' setting for Handel's Amadigi in Buxton")
