‘Musical Bodies’ at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, is the beat that we all need right now.
The remarkable exhibition explores the relationship between musical instruments and the human body. It is not just another show at The Met. It is a moment that truly beats to a drum that will make you feel bliss and open your eyes to the magic of musical art. 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.
(Photo Courtesy by Filip Wolak)
“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.”
JUNE 3: Dr. Bradley Strauchen-Scherer and Barbara Tober attend New Met Exhibit ‘Musical Bodies’ Private Tour And Tea Hosted By Barbara Tober on June 3, 2026. (Photo by Patrick McMullan/PMC/PMC) *** Local Caption *** Dr. Bradley Strauchen-Scherer;Barbara Tober
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.
“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 now through Sept. 27. For more information, visit www.metmuseum.org.
