Charles Oberthür and his harp

A carte-de-visite portrait of Charles (originally Karl) Obürther (1819-1895), one of the best known harpists of the nineteenth century and a prolific composer for his instrument.

Born in Munich, Obürther held appointments at Zurich and Wiesbaden before settling in London in 1844. At the forefront of English harp playing and teaching for the next fifty years he also maintained strong European connections, teaching at the Paris and Brussels conservatoires, touring extensively and visiting numerous courts and festivals. His private pupils included Princess Stephanie (wife of Crown Prince Rudolph of Austria) and the Duchess of Wellington. In 1884 he toured the USA.

His works include operas, orchestral and choral works and more than three hundred opus numbers for harp, occasionally with other instruments.

Charles Obürther died in London in 1895.

Photographed by J. B. Pyne Jnr. of Haverstock Hill, London.