Canadian concert harpist Gianetta Baril will present a one-hour concert at Saint Meinrad Archabbey. St. Meinrad, IN, on Sunday, November 27, 2022.
An award-winning concert harpist, Baril has performed around the world for over 40 years. Aware that her talent is a blessing to be shared, she has long sought to bring the light of Christ to the poor and disadvantaged through her gift of music. She has given dozens of concerts for refugees, seniors and students; enhanced spiritual retreats with her music; and, in 2008, was invited to play a special concert for the International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec City.
From 2014, Baril was busy with a philanthropic project she had founded – Harping for Harps – donating harps and establishing programs for children living in slums in Brazil. In winter 2020, as COVID was overtaking the world, she participated in a chant program at Saint Meinrad. It turned out to be a life-changing experience. She left the Archabbey feeling called to bring the transformative sound of the harp to people who need comfort and healing.
A few months later, when the pandemic had forced the cancellation of all live performances, Baril found herself in hospital for five days. Witnessing the anxiety of the other patients and staff, she was inspired to find a safe way to bring the comfort of live harp music to people during this uncertain time. Her “Harp to Heart” project (harptoheart.org and harptoheart.ca) is the result.
Since September 2020, she has been on the road living in a cargo van converted into a mobile concert hall and tiny home. Together with her concert harp, she has covered 26,000 miles and given over 200 live, COVID-safe concerts all around Canada. She says, “It has been the most blessed time of my very long career as a harpist, and my heart is so grateful for the moments of gentle beauty shared with people during this incredibly difficult period.”
Baril is currently traveling in the midwestern and southeast United States until May 2023. Her Saint Meinrad program of religious and seasonal music will begin at 3 p.m. Central Time in the Archabbey Church.
The program is free and open to the public. Parking is available in the Guest House and student parking lots. For more information, contact Mary Jeanne Schumacher during business hours at 812-357-6501. For updates on the day of the performance, call 812-357-6611.