LONDON — Prince Charles is taking England back to the Victorian Age. He has appointed a royal harpist to encourage the revival of the ancient Welsh performing tradition.
LONDON — Prince Charles is taking England back to the Victorian Age. He has appointed a royal harpist to encourage the revival of the ancient Welsh performing tradition.
Catrin Finch, 20, is the first royal harpist since the reign since John Thomas, appointed to the job in 1871 by Queen Victoria. A student of the Royal Academy of Music who began playing the harp at age 6, Finch will be paid $3,750 per year, and will play at several engagements attended by Charles over the next two years.
This is just the start. Charles plans a new appointment every two years.
"I hope that by reestablishing the position I cannot only give support and recognition to a young harpist of ability like Catrin, but that I can help to encourage appreciation of the harp and its importance to Welsh culture and tradition," Charles said.
The Welsh harp is considered the national instrument of the country.
