An orpharion, labeled cythara communis, from Kircher's Musurgia Universalis
Classification
String instrument (plucked)
Hornbostel–Sachs classification
321.322 (Composite chordophone)
Developed
15th century
Related instruments
List
Lute
Mandolin
The orpharion (/ˌɔːrfəˈraɪən/ or /ɔːrˈfæriən/) or opherion/ɒˈfɪəriən/ is a plucked stringed instrument from the Renaissance, a member of the cittern family. Its construction is similar to the larger bandora and is an ancestor of the guitar. The metal strings are tuned like a lute and are plucked with the fingers. The nut and bridge of an orpharion are typically sloped, so that the string length increases from treble to bass. Due to the extremely low-tension metal strings, which would easily distort the notes when pushed down, the frets were almost flush with the fingerboard, 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.
Picture of an Orpharion by John Rose used in the frontispiece for William Barley's Book of Tablature 1596
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 Rose of Bridewell invented the instrument in 1581.[2] A Rose orpharion in Helmingham Hall was allegedly given as a gift to Queen 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 name orpharion comes from Orpheus and Arion.[citation needed]
William Barley published a book of Orpharian tablature in 1596. It contained music by Francis Cutting, John Dowland, Philip Rosseter, Peter Philips, Anthony Holborne, Edward Johnson and William Byrd. It was entitled A 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.
^"Orpheoreon" in Groves Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1946).
The orpharion (/ˌɔːrfəˈraɪən/ or /ɔːrˈfæriən/) or opherion /ɒˈfɪəriən/ is a plucked stringed instrument from the Renaissance, a member of the cittern...
hurdy-gurdy, the lute, the guitar, the cittern, the bandora, and the orpharion. Keyboard instruments with strings included the harpsichord and the clavichord...
Nemesea Nightfall Nightwish Northern Kings Nokturnal Mortum Opera IX Orpharion Old Man's Child Pathfinder Phoenix Rising Powerwolf Pythia Rage ReVamp...
might be more ergonomic. Fanned frets first appeared on the 16th-century Orpharion, a variant of the cittern, tuned like a lute. John Starrett revived the...
basso continuo parts in Baroque ensembles, gallichons/mandoras, bandoras, orpharions and others. Lutenistic practice has reached considerable heights in recent...
House. The Tollemaches of Helmingham own one of the only two English Orpharion viols. Their instrument is dated 1580 and bears the label of John Rose...
including the mandolin and guitar. Lira da braccio Bandora Cittern Lute Orpharion Vihuela Clavichord Harpsichord Virginal Some Renaissance percussion instruments...
doi:10.1093/ml/72.4.587. JSTOR 737015. "PRINTED SOURCES OF MUSIC for LUTE, ORPHARION, BANDORA, VIHUELA, ARCHLUTE, CHITARRONE AND THEORBO". Retrieved 15 February...
amateurs and typically including such instruments as a bass viol, a lute or orpharion (a wire-strung lute, metal-fretted, flat-backed, and festoon-shaped),...
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