INTERNATIONALLY-renowned Warminster harpist Celicia Sultana De Maria last week gave her second live performance at the BRIT Awards.

She and a pianist accompanied American actress and singer Olivia Rodrigo at the event, which was broadcast by the BBC live from the O2 Arena in London on Tuesday May 11 evening.

She played to an audience of 4,000 keyworkers as the UK makes a tentative Covid-safe return to live performances in front of a large indoor crowd.

Miss De Maria said: “'I feel so lucky to have been part of the first live, mass indoor music event the UK has had in over a year. It really was a wonderful experience.

"Hearing a live audience of 4,000 people was both emotional and exciting. Olivia Rodrigo was a real pleasure to work with and is a great artist.

"It was also incredible to see such a diverse range of female winners as the ladies dominated the show and many were recognised for their talents."

It’s not the first time Miss De Maria has been seen on television. She played at the 2010 BRIT Awards with Dizzee Rascal and Florence and the Machine. She also performed at The Royal Variety Performance in 2014 and has played in a Walker’s crisps TV advert alongside Stephen Fry and Gary Lineker.

Cecilia’s mother, Dorothea Sultana De Maria, of Boreham Road, Warminster, said: “She has received a wonderful reaction to the performance and we were surprised with how many people from Warminster watched it.”

Miss De Maria, 30, who lives in London, has just signed a record contract with Sony Classical and her next single is being released on Friday, May 21.

As she grew up in a home surrounded by music, Cecilia originally started playing the piano at the age of three.

She started playing the harp at the age of 11. Her elder sister Fiorella played the violin and piano.

She said: “I remember getting my first CD of harp music when I was young and it was all played by the incredible Marisa Robles; the ‘Impromptu-Caprice’ completely mesmerised me.

“I have been so fortunate to have lessons with Marisa and consider her a friend, thanks to my amazing teacher Daphne Boden.”

When she was younger, Cecilia suffered from stage fright even though she was busy performing on a regular basis.

She added: “It was a challenge for me once I was on stage. I can still remember the day I was fortunate enough to turn this around.

“It made me very aware that I was pursuing the right career path. I now enjoy nothing more than sharing my music with others.

“The last few months have been tough to say the least, not just for me but for all those who work in the arts.

“When the country pretty much closed overnight due to Covid-19, freelance musicians lost everything and it is still very uncertain when we will be able to return in full force.

“I was very fortunate to have some teaching I could do online, however the loss of income and opportunities to make music with others has been a real challenge.”

As part of her Sony contract, Miss De Maria has recorded some of her favourite harp pieces and also some exciting new material.

She said: “I am always open to new musical suggestions, genres and styles. I have often been asked to play some Metallica or Led Zeppelin, usually as a joke.”

To watch her performance, visit https://www.brits.co.uk/videos/channel/87