Catrin Finch says she can move around as she plays her new harp

Finch was performing with fellow harpist Elinor Bennett, co-incidentally now her mother-in-law - at a concert for Welsh composer Karl Jenkins.

Her new electric harp, made in American and in an unconventional shade of pink, made its first public classical performance at the St David's Hall concert on Sunday.

"I asked Lyon & Healy if they could design something totally different for me which would be eye-catching and a lot of fun, and I'm very pleased with the result," said Finch

"It's totally different to the traditional harp which is static and has foot pedals.

Marriage

"It's much smaller, uses levers and you can strap it onto your body and move around as you play, which is a lot of fun."

Finch married Hywel Wigley, son of former Plaid Cymru leader Dafydd Wigley and international harpist Elinor Bennett, last September.

And she performed a duet with Bennet, her former tutor, at the concert - the first time they have performed publicly together since the marriage.

Finch, whose most recent CD includes works arranged and composed by Karl Jenkins, also performed the piece Palladio on her new Barbie harp.

"I've worked closely with Karl Jenkins over the years and am a great admirer of his work, and felt very privileged to play a part in his celebration concert," she said.

Composer Karl Jenkins will perform at the concert

The second half of the concert featured a performance of the composer's work A Mass for Peace, which has topped the classical charts.

It was the first professional performance of the work in Wales with Jenkins himself leading the orchestra of the Welsh National Opera, four choirs and various soloists.

In May 2000, Finch received a Royal appointment as harpist to the Prince of Wales after he labelled her a credit to her country.

Originally from Llanon, near Aberystwyth, Finch delayed her honeymoon last September so that she could take part in a BBC Proms in the Park concert in Swansea.