A humanitarian with a harp -- that's Marisa Robles.

Although she is one of the world's foremost concert harpists, it is not just for a living and the joy of making music that Miss Robles travels the globe.

Behind every performance is the hope that the beauty of her music will "soothe the troubled breast'' and help put life into a kinder perspective.

"My only prayer is that the music will arrive in the hearts of people who do not have good feelings for others,'' she explains. "I hope that with my music even one person might change their attitude, because music has such healing power.'' Nothing upsets her more, Miss Robles says, than the way people the world over are consumed with competing against each other to the exclusion of all else in life.

"This greediness -- power, ambition and money -- is getting worse instead of better,'' she says. "If there is something in my hands to pacify these people, to make them realise they are missing beautiful things ..'' Indeed, one needs only a few minutes in the Spanish-born virtuoso's company to realise that behind the supremely talented fingers lies the warmest and most caring of personalities -- a woman who believes wholeheartedly in making the world a better place.

"The world really is beautiful, and I love all the people in the world,'' she says. "With my music I try to transmit to others, even to a small degree, my philosophy of the brotherhood of man, and helping each other as much as you can.'' Her urgent message to her fellow man is: "Look around you. There is always someone who needs help. If you can do something positive, do it, because you might not find the opportunity again. Don't miss opportunities to help each other because that is what we are all here for.'' Certainly, Miss Robles practises what she preaches -- as staff at the Stonington Beach Hotel discovered, to their great delight, during the artist's extended stay at the Paget facility. Visiting the Island for the first time, where she played in three Bermuda Festival concerts, Miss Robles was struck by the friendliness and helpful ways of everyone at the hotel, all of whom seemed dedicated to making sure she and her husband felt welcome and at home, despite the unanticipated poor weather.

With each passing day, Miss Robles grew to regard the employees with increasing affection, and they her.

Sitting up in bed in the mornings, she would "hold court'' with the chambermaids, chatting with them like old friends. Elsewhere, she would warmly greet the front office manager/trainer, and banter with the trainee receptionists.

Such was her gratitude, in fact, that Miss Robles took two unusual steps to express it.

First, from the concert platform at City Hall on February 7 she paid tribute to the hotel's hospitality generally, and expressed her particular appreciation to two staffers in the audience, Ms June Saltus and Ms Wendy Ebbin, by dedicating the final pieces in her programme to them.

What the artist did not mention was that she had personally purchased tickets to her own Festival performances so that the employees might hear her in concert.

Then, in one final gesture of thanks before her departure, she gave a private mini-recital in the sun-dappled Stonington Beach lobby expressly for the staff.

"I always feel that, whenever I travel, I get a lot of kindness and good reactions from people in hotels, and specifically in places which are not in the centre of civilisation,'' she explained.

In fact, she said the last time she performed a similar gesture was during a concert tour of South Africa.

"I was in Cape Town during the difficult times, and I was trying to play for everybody, but since black and coloured people were not allowed to attend my public concert I organised a special concert in the hotel. I played only for the staff, and no white people were invited,'' she said.

In Bermuda, Miss Robles gave the special staff performance because, apart from wishing to say a personal thank you to the Stonington crew, she knew the duty schedules meant that most staff could not attend City Hall. She was also aware that concert harpists were a rarity here.

And so it was that, for one glorious half hour last Friday morning, with white caps dancing on the vivid blue sea beyond the sunlit windows, everyone from chambermaids to waiters, the bell captain, and even Toby the house cat, gathered to hear the other "voice'' of Marisa Robles.

From the 67-year-old golden harp she inherited from her late aunt, they watched the her strong, supple hands perform works by Bach, Alphonse Hasselmans and Franc uois Naderman, as well as the beautiful theme song from The World of Narnia, written by the artist herself.

As she had done throughout her public performances, Miss Robles explained the background to each piece, thus enriching the listening experience.

And when it was over, general manager Mr. William Mulder presented a gift to "our beloved Marisa'' on behalf of all the staff.

"We have been blessed by your presence. You have filled our hearts with love.

Thank you,'' he said.

For some, the event was their first introduction to the world of classical music, and they loved it.

"I really appreciated it,'' said front office manager/trainer Miss Saltus.

"What an education, and what a privilege to hear that music. It was heavenly.'' Bell captain Mr. Morris Peniston was equally enthusiastic.

"It was short and sweet,'' he smiled. "It was the first time I have heard a concert here, and it was just great.'' Indeed, the staff found Miss Robles' gesture deeply touching.

"This is the first time anybody has done anything like this for the staff,'' assistant housekeeper Mrs. Norma Showers, a 15-year veteran of the hotel, said. "It is also the first time I have ever been able to sit down on the job and enjoy something like this. It was really lovely,'' "Guests do show their appreciation, but hers was special,'' Ms Saltus added.

Watching with double interest were colleagues of bride-to-be Miss Heather Eccles, who plans to trip down the aisle to a harp version of Mendelssohn's Wedding March. Miss Robles apparently confirmed the wisdom of the bride's decision to their satisfaction.

There was no discussion, however, on the question of surnames.

Happily married with two sons, a daughter, and two grandsons, the vivacious artist did not approve of women surrendering their surnames at the altar. "I think women should definitely keep their (maiden) names,'' she asserted, dark eyes dancing. "My father gave me life and his name, and then I give it up for somebody with whom I want to live, but maybe not forever? No, no, no!'' An obvious hit with Bermuda Festival audiences and Stonington Beach hotel staff alike, London-based Miss Robles looks forward to returning to the Island and its friendly people.

"I think it is great that everybody accepts everybody with the nicest smile.

The whole situation is lovely here,'' she said, flashing her own megawatt smile.

Photos by Tony Cordeiro GUEST APPEARANCES -- Visiting concert harpist Miss Marisa Robles watches as Stonington Beach Hotel chambermaid Ms Wendy Ebbin tries out her 67-year-old concert harp during a special performance for staff at the Paget facility, where Miss Robles was a guest.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU -- Making friends with Stonington Beach hotel staff was part of the daily routine for visiting virtuoso harpist Miss Marisa Robles (second from left). Here she shares a laugh with (left to right) executive housekeeper Mrs. Pearl Smith, assistant housekeeper Mrs. Norma Showers and front desk manager/trainer Ms June Saltus.