Celebrate the Opening of MIM’s New Special Exhibition, Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars
PHOENIX (October 21, 2024) — The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) celebrates the opening of its newest special exhibition, Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars, with an Opening Weekend Signature Event November 8–10. Throughout the weekend, guests can enjoy live music, instrument demonstrations, curator-led exhibition previews in the Target Gallery, and instrument conservation talks.
Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars explores how Antonio Stradivari and other preeminent European luthiers of the 16th to the 19th century elevated fine string instruments into timeless masterpieces. Curated by Matthew Zeller, PhD, MIM’s curator for Europe, the exclusive exhibition features more than 70 spectacular string instruments and bows.
Friday’s programming features a marquee performance at the MIM Music Theater by internationally renowned violinist Rachel Barton Pine. Pine has received countless awards and has performed as a soloist with some of the world’s greatest orchestras. A Q&A session with Pine follows the performance.
Also on Friday, Zeller offers a sneak peek behind the scenes in a curator talk discussing the creation and curation of the special exhibition. (Zeller also gives curator talks on Saturday and Sunday.) To close out Friday’s festivities, Zeller gives a demonstration of MIM’s octobasse, a nearly 12-foot-tall string instrument that is one of the few of its kind in the world.
On Saturday and Sunday, Zeller leads previews of Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars, giving an insider’s look at the exhibition and some of its highlights. (Guests must purchase special exhibition admission to attend the exhibition tours, and space is limited.) In addition, MIM conservator Rodrigo Correa-Salas delivers conservation talks on preparing the historical instruments for display in the special exhibition.
Programming on Saturday and Sunday also includes several live musical performances. A string quartet from the Phoenix Symphony plays pieces from Antonio Vivaldi and other iconic European composers on Saturday. On Saturday and Sunday, the Phoenix Youth Symphony performs as part of the Sweetwater Student Showcase Series, supported by Sweetwater, and historical string instrument expert Jon Mendle demonstrates Renaissance and baroque lutes and also demonstrates historical guitars with Jeff Wells, owner and curator of the Austin-Marie Collection. On Sunday, the Burn City String Quartet performs a selection of chamber music works.
Family-friendly activities on Saturday and Sunday include a lute-making craft, and guests can capture memories in MIM’s hands-free photo booth.
During the Signature Event weekend, guests can purchase global cuisine at Café Allegro and find exhibition-themed merchandise, including the catalog for Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars, at the Museum Store.
Opening Weekend activities are included with paid museum admission and free for members. Tours in the Target Gallery require special exhibition admission.
Tickets for Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars are $10 for special exhibition only, $7 when purchased with general museum admission, $4 for children/teens (ages 4–19), and free for children (ages 3 and under).
For more information about Opening Weekend and other exhibition programming, visit mim.org/.
Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars Opening Weekend is supported by Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras and Arizona Suzuki Association. Programming is supported in part by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture and Arizona Commission on the Arts.
The Musical Instrument Museum is located at 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard in Phoenix (corner of Tatum and Mayo Boulevards, just south of Loop 101). For general museum information and a full schedule of events, visit mim.org/ or call 480.478.6000.
***
About MIM
The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) enriches our world by collecting, preserving, and making accessible an astonishing variety of musical instruments and performance videos from every country in the world. MIM offers guests a welcoming and fun experience, incomparable interactive technology, dynamic programming, and exceptional musical performances. MIM fosters appreciation of the world’s diverse cultures by showing how we innovate, adapt, and learn from each other to create music—the language of the soul. To learn more about MIM, visit mim.org/.
Find MIM on Facebook: Facebook.com/MIMphx
Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube: @MIMphx
Media Contact
Sydney Rich
Communications Specialist
sydney.rich@MIM.org
480.245.6953
