Midweek Musical Matinee: Classical Re-Imaginations

In-Person at the Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road (San Rafael, CA)

Don’t miss our exciting and beautiful concert in which harpist Amelia Romano and multi-instrumentalist Asaf Ophir collaborate to present some of their favorite classical works, from the Baroque era to present day. The selections are reimagined with harp, clarinet and flute, offering a fresh, new look at classical music. Woven into the program are Amelia’s original compositions which bring a dynamic flair inspired by Latin American rhythms and folk traditions.

After the concert, join other music lovers for refreshments & cookies.

Space is limited; reserve your ticket(s) in advance!

A composer, arranger and trailblazer in the lever harp world, Amelia Romano is a concertizing lever harpist.

The lever harp is often played by folk musicians and designed to play folk music from countries including Ireland and Scotland. In this context, oftentimes the lever mechanisms at the top of the instrument are set in the key of the song and left that way throughout the folk song. Conversely, on the classical pedal harp, one can easily change notes by stepping on the pedals.

Amelia’s vision has taken on both harp worlds and tackles complex classical passages on the lever harp by shifting the mechanisms mid-song, which is fascinating to watch. While pedal harps weigh 80 pounds, lever harps weigh 25 making them very portable. Romano lived in South Africa for a year and has toured in Europe, the southern United States and Pacific Northwest, bringing her enthusiasm for lever harps to classical music, wherever she goes.

Her latest album, “Levers Engaged: Classical Works Re-imaged for Harp,'' and sheet music collection, “Classical Re-imaginations," present the instrument as a valid voice in classical music. Amelia is equally at home writing Latin America inspired works for solo harp as she is adapting classical pieces for chamber collaborations. Amelia offers virtual workshops and seminars centered around best lever-shifting practices and tools for adapting and performing chromatic works on the instrument.

Romano received her master’s degree in Classical Lever Harp Performance at San Francisco State University under the tutelage of Karen Gottlieb, retired harpist of the San Francisco Symphony.

The son of an Israeli film composer, Asaf Ophir was exposed to many styles of music from an early age: His father’s love for jazz, the Jewish music of his heritage, a classical upbringing, and the Middle Eastern backdrop of his childhood. From the very beginning, he was drawn to many different sources and genres, as well as to different musical instruments.

Ophir began his professional career in Israeli musicals while studying at the Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, and later at the Jerusalem Academy. Arriving in the United States in 2014, he began to perform in musicals around the Bay Area such as the award winning Love Sick in 2017, and The People in the Picture in 2018. Finding a home away from home, Ophir can most often be seen in world music projects on Jewish, Arabic, and Balkan stages.

Ophir has performed on such distinguished stages as Habima, HaCameri, and Jerusalem Theaters in Israel, as well as the Paramount Theater, the Palace of Fine Arts, the Great American Concert Hall, Freight and Salvage, Brava Theater, and others. Throughout his career he has shared the stage with artists such as Miri Mesika, Avi Kushnir, Galit Giat, David De’or, Rana Farhan, and Barbra Streisand.

The San Francisco Chronicle writes: "Asaf Ophir gives the clarinet the timbre of a trumpet, then a violin, then a raspy scream… the instrument’s wail almost becomes too plaintive and beautiful to bear.”

"Early Bird" Ticket: $12.50; available only online through May 12.

" Regular" Ticket: $20; available only in-person at the Front Desk of the Osher Marin JCC until the performance begins.

All tickets are non-refundable & non-exchangeable.

Program subject to change.

Midweek Musical Matinees are created and offered by the Osher Marin JCC's (San Rafael, CA) Kurland Center for Adult Learning & Living.

ALL ARE WELCOME to join in our activities! JCC members, non-members, those who live near or far, people of all backgrounds, faiths, ethnicities, hair styles, fashion choices, chocolate preferences, etc. "The more the merrier!"

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Osher Marin JCC, 200 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael, United States