Cleary, Maria

Maria Christina Cleary

Internationally-renowned musician, Maria Christina Cleary has been described as “a true virtuoso”, a “brilliant player” and “a pioneer of period harp practice” and is noted for her solo improvisatory skills and ingenious basso continuo playing, combined with a particular care to create a beautiful sound on a perilous instrument. Native of Ireland, Maria grew up with both Irish music and Classical music. She was part of the interdisciplinary Renaissance ensemble The Capriol Consort Dublin, directed by Doris Keogh. She performs and teaches every European historical harp (Verona Conservatory, HEM Genève). Her eclectic career includes studying Psychology at Trinity College Dublin, performing at Knappogue Castle, the Playboy Mansion in LA and the Eurovision Song Contest. She loves to play electronic and experimental music with atonal and microtonal tuning systems. Partners for 20 years, Maria performs regularly with Davide Monti (violin) under the name Arparla.