Theorpharion(/ˌɔːrfəˈraɪən/or/ɔːrˈfæriən/) oropherion/ɒˈfɪəriən/is a plucked stringed instrument from theRenaissance,a member of thecitternfamily. Its construction is similar to the largerbandoraand is an ancestor of theguitar.The metal strings are tuned like aluteand are plucked with the fingers. It has amulti-scale fingerboard:thenutandbridgeof an orpharion are typically sloped, so that the string length increases fromtrebletobass.Due to the extremely low-tension metal strings, which would easily distort the notes when pushed down, thefretswere almost flush with thefingerboard,which was gently scalloped.[1]As with all metal-strung instruments of the era, a very light touch with the plucking hand was required, quite different from the sharper attack used on the lute.
 An orpharion, labeledcythara communis,fromKircher'sMusurgia Universalis | |
| Classification | String instrument(plucked) |
|---|---|
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 321.322 (Compositechordophone) |
| Developed | 15th century |
| Related instruments | |
The orpharion was invented in England in the second half of the 16th century; in sources of English music it is often mentioned as an alternative to the lute. According to Stow's "Annals" (1631),John Roseof Bridewell invented the instrument in 1581.[2]A Rose orpharion inHelmingham Hallwas allegedly given as a gift toQueen Elizabeth I,and may well be that first example. It has six courses and the bridge and nut are parallel. The only other surviving orpharion, now in the Claudius Collection in Copenhagen, has nine courses with fanned frets, and dates to 1617.
The nameorpharioncomes fromOrpheusandArion.[citation needed]
William Barleypublished a book of Orphariantablaturein 1596. It contained music byFrancis Cutting,John Dowland,Philip Rosseter,Peter Philips,Anthony Holborne,Edward JohnsonandWilliam Byrd.It was entitledA new book of tablature for the orpharion, containing sundry sorts of lessons, collected together [by William Barley] out of diverse good authors, for the furtherance and delight of such as are desirous to practise on this instrument.
References
edit- ^"Orpheoreon" inGroves Dictionary of Music and Musicians(1946).
- ^Wells (1946),p. 143.
Bibliography
edit- Wells, Robin Headlam (1946).Elizabethan Mythologies: Studies in Poetry, Drama, and Music.
External links
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