Orí Harmelin – Blue Heron

The lute player Orí Harmelin was born in 1981 in Haifa, Israel. His fascination with early music led him to studies at the Early Music Institute in Trossingen, Germany, under the tutelage of Rolf Lislevand and Kees Boeke, followed by studies in the Zurich University of the Arts with Eduardo Egüez. Orí is a co-founder of the ensemble Santenay (2004-2017) and the house lutenist of the ensembles Profeti della Quinta and Voces Suaves. After having appeared on numerous albums with various ensembles, in 2021 Orí released his debut solo album NESHIMA, featuring his own compositions and arrangements of Renaissance and early Baroque vocal music. Orí performs regularly in Europe, North America, and Asia. In addition to his passion for music, Orí is a Gestalt Therapist and hosts the podcast “the curious case of freedom.” He lives in Basel, Switzerland.

Photo: Paulina Krzyzak

Blue Heron is engaged in the exploration of Renaissance and medieval vocal music, putting the study of original sources in the service of vivid live performance. Widely regarded as the finest ensemble of its type in North America, Blue Heron presents a subscription series in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a catalog of exceptional recordings is available on the Blue Heron label. The ensemble’s accolades include the 2018 Gramophone Classical Music Award for Early Music, making Blue Heron the first group from outside Europe to receive the award; the Noah Greenberg Award from the American Musicological Society; and the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik. Touring engagements have taken the group across the United States, Canada, England, and Europe.

Email List Sign-up