Royal Academy of Music Museum

About

Open Monday to Friday 11.30am-5.30pm and Saturday 12-4pm, closed Sunday, public holidays and the month of December. Experience centuries of creativity and craftsmanship, with fine instruments and objects that have inspired music-making from the 16th century to the present day. The Royal Academy of Music is the oldest conservatoire in Britain.Your musical tour begins with our 'History of the Academy' display. Through our Timeline you can discover highlights of the Academy's story in relation to British and world events across two hundred years. A wide range of display items includes the original score of Gilbert and Sullivan's famous operetta 'The Mikado'; letters by Felix Mendelssohn and Franz Liszt; a photograph from an Academy fun run; and a backstage pass for alumnus Sir Elton John's performance at Radio City Music Hall. The Strings Gallery exhibits some of the most exquisite and diverse string instruments in the Academy's collections, including by the famous Antonio Stradivari. Instrument displays are interspersed with rare archive material of prints, images and scores, illustrating the instruments in performance and animating the people associated with them. Upon reaching the Piano Gallery, ask a Gallery Assistant for a demonstration of the instruments. Learn about the creative relationships between players, composers and instrument makers, as well as the technical development of the keyboard instrument. All pianos are kept in playing condition and are used for staff demonstrations, research and special events. Alongside the permanent galleries the Museum presents an annually changing temporary exhibition, regular lecture-recitals and workshops.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 30 minutes