Marisa Robles is not just a great harpist. Her public persona seamlessly weaves together a strong personality, extraordinary playing, and a love of entertaining. In the Music in Great Irish Houses concert on Monday in St Patrick's Hall Dublin Castle, she had the audience eating out of her hand. She loved it; so did they, writes Martin Adams

Marisa Robles (harp), St Patrick's Hall, Dublin Castle

The evening was built around harp music; but the evening was about Marisa Robles. Anecdotes about herself, her playing and the music, had a loquacity which endeared or infuriated. She is a class-act, a character.

Many of Ireland's concert harpists were present to hear playing which was astounding for its strength of projection, range of tone, clarity with part writing, and natural rhythmic life. Robles's ability to make the insubstantial take on the lustre of a gem was a help with several pieces, including her own compositions. All of these, including a commission from the festival, are accessible, well-crafted, and show a penchant for material derived from folk music.

Yet this was not a flawless concert. One of the Bach preludes went briefly off the rails, and in several other pieces there were prominent slips of one sort or another - all without causing a blemish in polished presentation.

It was frustrating to hear such extraordinary ability combined with a seeming lack of interest in digging deep, especially in two harp classics, Salzedo's Cancíon en la noche and Hasselman's La source.

The latter is a perfect harp piece in the same way as Mendelssohn's E minor concerto is perfect for the violin. This performance glittered; but it missed that caress of detail which reveals the perfection of Hasselman's craftsmanship.

The Music in Great Irish Houses Festival with IIB Bank continues daily until Saturday 15th June. For details telephone (01) 278 2506, or look up www.musicirishhouses.com/