Sarah Verrue Wins Tonhalle Zurich Audition

Belgian harpist Sarah Verrue won the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich solo harp audition, held at the beginning of November. “I am of course very happy, and I feel very lucky,” says Verrue of winning the post. “I had amazing teachers who gave me energy and joy—they are so passionate, and that inspires me!” Verrue’s teachers have included Isabelle Matthijssens, Arielle Valibouse, and Isabelle Moretti, who she studied with at the Paris Conservatory, graduating in 2011. Verrue received second prize in the Dutch Harp Competition 2012, and in September 2012, she joined the Orchestra Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic (a training program started in 1972 by Herbert von Karajan), where she studies with and plays alongside Marie Pierre Langlamet. Verrue has performed previously with Berlin in a Gotterdammerung production with multiple harps, and also with the Vienna Philharmonic. She will complete her year in Berlin before starting with Zurich next season.