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Musical Bodies at The Metropolitan
Museum of Art, an exhibition exploring
the relationship between musical
instruments and the human body,
celebrated its opening with a private
tour, performances, and afternoon tea.
Seven years in the making, Musical
Bodies is brought together by longtime
friends Bradley Strauchen-Scherer,
Curator in the Department of Musical
Instruments, and lead sponsor, Barbara
Tober.
“Each one of us is an instrument,
whether it is clapping, tapping,
whistling, or singing, and that is at
the center of this exhibition,” said
Strauchen-Scherer. “Often we find
instruments derive their shape from the
form of our bodies, because music has
been central to human identity and
activity for centuries.” At an exclusive
first look on Monday, guests explored
more than 130 objects spanning 4,000
years and drawn from all 17 curatorial
departments of the Museum. From ancient
artifacts to contemporary popular
culture, the exhibition includes
Prince’s “Love Symbol” guitar,
Liberace’s “Piano Keys” suit, a Tom Ford
ensemble worn by Zazie Beetz at The Met
Gala, a sixteenth-century hermaphrodite
“wedding” lira da braccio, ancient
Egyptian rattles, paintings by Titian
and Edgar Degas, and a Vivienne Westwood
“penis” whistle inspired by Roman
amulets. Brockett Parsons (Lady Gaga’s
keyboardist) attended, standing by his
circular “PianoArc” keyboard, as well as
Ghanaian carpenter Paa Joe, whose guitar
shaped casket, For A Musician, is also
on display. An interactive keyboard
projection, as well as video showcases
ranging from world champion whistler
Molly Lewis to tap dancer Savion Glover,
immerse guests.
The opening included performances by
percussionist Javier Diaz, flamenco
dancer Cristina Candela accompanied by
vocalist Barbara Martinez, and Beatbox
House, who led guests in an impromptu
lesson in beatboxing. A broader series
of live programs and artist
collaborations will accompany the
exhibition throughout its run. Guests
included rockstar Billy Squier, as well
as RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Nymphia
Wind and finalist Plane Jane.
Barbara Tober brought many friends for a
private tour and tea on Wednesday led by
Strauchen-Scherer. “You know music is
all about love, and I know that because
the moment my husband, Donald, started
playing the piano, I was gone,” said
Tober. “This exhibition is a place for
such joy and exploration that I hope you
come and see how important it is that
music is not just something to hear, but
it’s something to vibrate to as a human
being.”
Musical Bodies brings together musical
instruments, costumes, contemporary art,
and multimedia installations to examine
the connections between music, the body,
and human identity across cultures and
centuries. The collection features loans
from collectors and institutions
including the Musée de la musique
(Paris), the National Music Museum
(Vermillion, South Dakota), the
Kunsthistorisches Museum (Vienna), and
the Royal College of Music (London).
Organized into six thematic sections,
the exhibition explores instruments as
representations of the body and
considers their role in spirituality,
sexuality, identity, and mortality. The
exhibition will be on view from June 7
through September 27, 2026. For more
information, visit
www.metmuseum.org
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