Who were the members of the Duarte family? What was their profession? Who did they know? What role did their Jewish roots play? And what did music mean to them? Find out here.
Instrument maker Bas Neelen is building a playable harpsichord for Museum Vleeshuis based on the example of a Flemish Masterpiece from the museum's collection: a 1615 harpsichord by Antwerp-based maker Andreas Ruckers. It is the very first time this more than 400 year-old instrument will be reproduced.
In 2021, Yannick Wijnants of Atelier Herkenrode completed the restoration of the so-called 'Peter Benoit piano', a concert grand piano made by the firm Pleyel, Wolff & Cie in 1884. Thanks to the restoration, this masterpiece was once again playable.
Since 1967, Museum Vleeshuis has kept a superb grand piano by Pleyel, Wolff & Cie. Following a comprehensive restoration in 2020-2021, the instrument was once again playable. Belgian pianist-composer Jeroen Malaise is an ambassador for the 'Pleyel'.
We support craftsmanship by securing, documenting, protecting and encouraging instrument making. Together with makers and musicians, we create instruments and music. That way, our precious musical heritage stays alive.
A number of musical instruments from the museum collection are often played by our sound experts. Several historic instruments have been restored to playable condition despite their age, while others have been created, each with their own story.
