Ophira Zakai is one of today’s leading performers of the lute and historical plucked instruments. For over two decades, she has appeared in concerts and Baroque opera productions across Europe and worldwide, collaborating with top early music ensembles and modern orchestras alike. Her performances include appearances with the Berlin Philharmonic, Concerto Köln, RIAS Chamber Choir, Collegium Vocale Gent, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Capella Amsterdam, and Collegium 1704 Prague.
A sought-after recording artist, Ophira has participated in numerous acclaimed recordings for leading labels such as Deutsche Grammophon, Harmonia Mundi, Decca Records, and Challenge Classics.
As a soloist, she made her debut recital in 2002 at the Mendelssohn House in Leipzig. Since then, she has performed solo and duo recitals and chamber music programs at major international festivals, including the Utrecht Festival, Bruges Festival, Rheingau Festival, Göttingen Handel Festival, Aldeburgh Festival, Schleswig-Holstein Festival, and the Felicja Blumental Festival in Tel Aviv.
In addition to early music, Ophira is passionate about contemporary works for lute and theorbo. She has premiered and recorded pieces by composers such as Eitan Steinberg, Tsippi Fleischer, Sarah Nemtsov, and David Bruce.
She studied Renaissance and Baroque lute, theorbo, Baroque guitar, and vihuela under Prof. Nigel North, Prof. Elizabeth Kenny, and Yasumori Imamura, earning her Diploma and Concert Exam (Konzertexamen) degrees from the Berlin University of the Arts (UdK).
Ophira is a regular member of the Barrocade Ensemble and gives masterclasses, lectures and workshops at institutions including the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music at Tel Aviv University, the University of Haifa, and the International Guitar Academy in Berlin.
