French harpist Clara Bellegarde grew up immersed in music, in a home where both her parents were musicians. This fostered her early connection to the art, and at just six years old, she discovered her passion for the harp in her hometown of Lille. This early dedication to her instrument blossomed into an impressive career: in 2015, at only 23 years old, she was appointed principal harpist of the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra.

Since then, Clara has captivated audiences not only in Hamburg but also as a guest musician with prestigious orchestras worldwide. She regularly plays with the Munich Philharmonic, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, the Staatskapelle Berlin, the Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, the Orchestre de l’Opéra de Paris, and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam.

Under the baton of renowned conductors such as Charles Dutoit, Tugan Sokhiev, Kent Nagano, Philippe Jordan, Teodor Currentzis, Antonio Pappano, Paavo Järvi, and Pablo Heras-Casado, she has performed in some of the world’s most iconic concert venues, including the BBC Proms in London, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Vienna Musikverein, the Salzburg Festival, the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, and the Sala São Paulo. In January 2017, she took part with her orchestra in the inaugural concert of the Elbphilharmonie, one of Europe’s most celebrated concert halls, beautifully situated on the banks of the Elbe and renowned for its exceptional architecture and outstanding acoustics.

While Clara thrives in orchestral performance, she also places great importance on exploring the solo potential of the harp. In December 2024, she premiered Camille Pépin’s concerto for flute and harp Ce que raconte le vent…, under the baton of Kent Nagano at the Elbphilharmonie.

Clara’s passion for chamber music has led her to perform on international stages and at prestigious festivals, such as the Forest Hill Musical Days in San Francisco, the Norsjø Chamber Music Festival in Norway, the Tra Luce e Sogno Festival in Italy, and the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. She has collaborated with distinguished artists including Mari and Momo Kodama, Nils Mönkemeyer, Veronika Eberle, Edicson Ruiz, Xavier de Maistre, Hartmut Rohde, Luigi Piovano, and Matt Haimovitz. Clara has also performed in duos, notably with English horn player Ralph van Daal, with whom she has made several recordings, and with soprano Maria Chabounia, reflecting her profound affinity for the world of opera.

Clara Bellegarde received her education at prestigious music institutions. After completing her preparatory studies with Anne Le Roy, she earned her Bachelor’s degree under Isabelle Moretti at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, followed by a Master’s degree with Françoise Verherve at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts. She gained her first orchestral experience with the Orchestre Français des Jeunes and the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra, which played a defining role in shaping her artistic journey. Later, she returned to this ensemble as a coach, sharing her experience and insights with the next generation of musicians.

Clara treasures the harp for its versatility, offering tones that range from ethereal delicacy to powerful resonance, giving voice to her deepest emotions. Whether on stage or in the opera pit, she relishes the harp’s unique role in adding color to the overall sound and in contributing to the collective creation of truly exceptional musical moments.