Phoenix museum opens exhibition of ancient Chinese instruments new to US

The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix opened “Unearthed Musical Masterpieces from the Southern Kingdoms of Ancient China,” an exhibition organized with the Hubei Provincial Museum featuring more than 70 instruments and related objects, many excavated from sites over 2,000 years old. More than 40 artifacts are being shown in the United States for the first time, including 10 of China’s highest-designation national cultural relics. Opening-weekend programming included curator talks, performances on traditional Chinese instruments, music blending Chinese traditions with rock, and lion dances.