Introducing the Lirone

Did you know? You can support the orchestra and our players by making a donation to the OAE

Many thanks to Emilia Benjamin for introducing us to ‘heaven’s hoover’ (or the lirone, or lira da gamba). This beautiful instrument was popular in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, and it was often used in Italian operas to accompany singing.

This lirone has 13 gut strings, but some have as many as 16!

Guest Soprano: Jessica Cale
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We are grateful for the support of our OAE Corporate Partners:

[jasonhurd]

Let's take a moment to appreciate the gargantuan efforts of the American musician Erin Headley, who single-handedly resurrected the lirone from total obscurity back in the 1980s. I met Miss Headley during a masterclass given by her chamber group Philomel at the St Louis Conservatory in 1986. She was charming, self-deprecating, and profoundly and astoundingly musical. We have much to thank her for.

[chaimcatan]

Those dissonances actually sounded really nice its a shame this instrument hasn't made a comeback in contemporary music

[KnightsWithoutATable]

The sound reminds me of a cello crossed with a hurdy-gurdy tuned to play a specific style of music.

[IvanSN]

The sound of this instrument feels like a string based accordion. It's intense. I love it.

[thedanielstraight]

This is fascinating.... as a modern guitarist, I'm both grief-stricken and intrigued by the tuning! It almost sounds accordion-like when playing chords.

[ChrisLeeW]

So davinci did freestyle with his own accompaniment? That's wonderful.

[Lwayte]

I would be perfectly happy listening to a whole album of solo Lirone

[manitasdeplata]

This musician is as precious and rare as the instrument she plays and expose us to those master musicians and instrument makers. We are so privilege to have around dedicated and passionate musicians that transform musicology into a great life musical experience.

[pugandblizzard]

This seems like an intimidatingly difficult instrument, but you play it with such facility and beauty that I am convinced of its virtues.

[pianoforteyt]

Never heard of this instrument before, it’s truly amazing 🤩

[argonautilus]

I hope the lirone makes a comeback. What a wonderful sound.

[liamnevilleviolist]

Glorious.

It has the timbre of the harpsichord but the attack of notes and sustain of a vocalist!

[eddyagosto]

The baroque movement is definitely the most influential period of music in history, it never ceases to amaze me in the most unexpected ways and instruments!

[TheNinetySecond]

These presenters are always nice, knowledgeable, charming and talented. There's something fantastic about being introduced to a niche instrument by someone who has lived and breathed it for years. Doubly so when it's also someone in a genre of music that I know very little about.

[avremke]

As a bass violist, I’m utterly fascinated by it and even after over two decades of playing baroque and renaissance repertoire, have never heard of this gorgeous instrument!

[PPYTAO]

You can tell Emilia is in the zone whilst playing, it’s like she’s coming out of a meditation when she stops! 🙌

[deonmurphy]

I don’t see/hear why this couldn’t be a solo instrument, it has beautiful sound.

[TonyBittner]

The lirone's sound has always captivated me. It's mysterious, melancholic, and so rich. It somehow reminds me of a regal.

[andyoli]

Wow. Just wow. What an uniquely beautiful voice this instrument has. Jessica Cale's redition of Uccidimi Dolore brings me to tears. What a great video.

[Rik]

What an amazing instrument, I've never heard of it before. It has an immediate melancholic rich sound. It reminds of both an accordion and an organ at once. I love that the number of strings mean it sounds in tune in both flat and sharp keys. But, what a complicated thing to manage and play though.