2003 Presenter Full Presenter List

Ofra Harnoy

Cellist

Ofra Harnoy has established herself as one of the greatest cellists on today’s concert stage and has performed for numerous international dignitaries, including The Emperor of Japan, The Crown Prince of Japan, HRH Prince Charles, Canadian Prime Ministers Rt. Hon. Jean Chretien, Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney, Rt. Hon. Pierre Elliott Trudeau, and President William Clinton.

She has won numerous music competitions and in 1982 was the youngest first prizewinner of the Concert Artists Guild Award, which led her Carnegie Hall debut.

Harnoy has recorded more than 40 solo albums has premiered many important works including the Offenbach cello Concerto in G, the Viotti cello Concerto in C, many world premiere Vivaldi cello concertos and the North American premiere of the Bliss Cello Concerto.

She was born in Israel and immigrated to Canada at age six.