The right note

The harp brings an element of whimsy and wonder to any occasion. Egyptian harpist Silvia Saad, who is currently living and performing in Bahrain, is the perfect match for this magical instrument. Farrah Saville chats to her about her journey into classical performances.

Silvia Saad meets the Bahrain This Month team at the Gulf Hotel’s lobby area for an interview and shoot. Immediately, all eyes are on this absolute stunner. She is wearing a floral, almost fairytale-like dress; her long flowing Rapunzelesque hair and gentle demeanour has heads turning and rightfully so. On her shoulder is a giant purple bag, in it the most beautiful harp.

Silvia, who was originally born in Egypt, has a Master’s degree in the harp instrument and is currently living as a performer for luxury events in Bahrain. She is also a member of the Bahrain Philharmonic Orchestra and has been playing the harp since she was seven after watching her aunt play the piano.

She says: “After seeing her play, I really wanted to try it. My parents took me to a music conservatory and the teachers said my fingers might be better suited to the harp and not the piano. They showed me some girls playing on it and when I saw it, I thought it was amazing. It reminded me of a children’s cartoon or story. So I continued my education with the harp and eventually graduated from the conservatory with a Master’s degree in the instrument.”

Silvia has turned her love and mastery of the harp into a business in Bahrain, and she has been booked by clients for luxury events, weddings and hotels. The pride she takes in preparing for her performances through the type of harp she uses, the way she dresses and what type of music she plays, has set her apart.

“Playing the harp is not a hobby,” she explains. “It’s something you study and take seriously. I think it’s the same approach for making a business out of it. I spend a lot of time on Instagram selecting what I want to promote and how I edit my page creatively.

I get some clients who direct message me on Instagram but many come to me while playing at events.”

She explains that clients will book her for other events after seeing her play and also after seeing the amount of time and effort that goes into matching the theme of the event, which includes striking dresses and jewellery, hair and make-up.

Silvia also played with the Bahrain Philharmonic Orchestra, which she describes as a 'wonderful experience'. She says: “It was my first time in Bahrain to have the orchestra playing classical music; you need to listen to your colleagues when playing as part of an orchestra.

“My ultimate dream is to be a very famous artist one day. When people say ‘harpist’, I hope they will say my name as well,” she says with a big smile.