On stage, in his hands, the harp ceases to be merely a traditional classical instrument and becomes something else entirely: an electric body, capable of interacting with live electronics and transcending genres and borders. This is the artistic signature of Raoul Moretti, an Italian-Swiss harpist and global pioneer of the electric and electroacoustic harp, who has called Sardinia his home for over fifteen years. A bond so strong and recognized that "now at international festivals they introduce me as Sardinian and I'm greeted by the flag of the Four Moors," he explains.
His professional history is rooted in classical training—he graduated from the Como Conservatory—but he soon branched out into experimental fields. "The electric harp has enormous, still largely unexplored potential," explains Moretti. A career spanning over twenty-five years, with more than a thousand concerts in twenty countries, these numbers reflect an intense journey, which also began on the small screen. In 2004, Moretti joined Fiorello's orchestra on Rai Uno, an experience that catapulted him into a highly visible national arena. From there, his collaborations multiplied and diversified: he worked in the studio and on stage with Elisa, on the "Back to the Future" tour, with Paolo Fresu, Julia Kent, Dardust, the Piccolo Teatro di Milano, and, most prolifically, with Beppe Dettori, with whom he released three successful albums. Added to this are four solo albums, the "L'artista che non c'era" award won in 2020, and participation in the World Harp Congress, where he represented both Italy and Switzerland in the Sydney and Hong Kong editions. Last May, his latest recording project, "Anima Vibrante," was released, featuring Kurdish musician Munin Dunen.
But Moretti isn't just a performer; he's also a tireless promoter of music and sharing, always seeking new contexts to bring the harp to life. This commitment has seen him embark on a veritable tour of events. It began on September 2nd, when he inaugurated the Karel Music Expo with a dawn concert at 6:00 a.m. at the Fortino di Sant'Ignazio . Then, on September 12th, he was in Sestu, for In ProgressOne, where he opened the concert of the historic group Le Orme. The most significant event, however, is the one that has borne his signature since its inception: the International Festival Harps of the World, running from yesterday until Sunday, October 4th, produced by Ente Concerti Città di Iglesias. It's the longest-running Italian music festival entirely dedicated to the harp, and this year marks its twelfth edition. "We welcome artists from all over the world," he says. "Over the years, we have introduced South American harps to the public and continue to offer space for new projects." The 2026 edition will be enhanced by the presence of two leading names in the international harp scene. "On one hand, Myrdhin, the celebrated Breton harpist considered one of the world's greatest Celtic harp masters, an innovator and experimenter who boasts multiple Grammy nominations. On the other, Catrin Finch, a Welshman, former Royal Harpist to the Prince of Wales, will bring to the festival a story of words and music centered on her life, encompassing illness and social struggles." The festival will unfold across several locations in Sardinia. It will begin in Cagliari, reach Iglesias, and then conclude in the evocative setting of the Montevecchio Mines. A journey that, like Raoul Moretti's entire artistic career, intertwines roots and experimentation, tradition and research, in an ongoing dialogue between sounds and places.
