CINCINNATI (AP) -- The Cincinnati Art Museum has rediscovered a
collection of more than 800 antique musical instruments that had
been stored beneath the facility and largely forgotten for decades.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reports the items span four centuries
and represent more than 20 countries, making it an important
collection in the eyes of museum officials and instrument
specialists. The instruments include African drums, a Burmese
crocodile zither, a Chinese version of a hammered dulcimer and a
Native American ceremonial raven rattle.
Antique instrument expert Charles Rudig says he was shocked by
the collection, which he has been hired to help evaluate and
catalog.
Conservators plan to clean dozens of the items to use in an
exhibition to go along with the 2012 World Choir Games next summer
in Cincinnati.
