In 1884, Peter Benoit commissioned a grand piano from the renowned Parisian maker Pleyel Wolff & Cie for the Antwerp Municipal Music School, which later became the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp.
Following Peter Benoit's death, the instrument remained in use by his successors. From 1967 onwards, the piano was on permanent loan to the Vleeshuis Museum, though it was no longer in playing condition.
On behalf of the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp, the Peter Benoit Fund undertook the restoration of the instrument in collaboration with the Vleeshuis Museum and the Centre for the Study of Flemish Music. The restoration work was entrusted to Atelier Herkenrode, led by Yannick Wijnants. Once restored, the piano will be displayed again at the Vleeshuis Museum and used for concerts featuring music from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
To support this restoration project, please visit https://peterbenoitfonds.org/projecten/restauratie-benoit-pleyel or email info@peterbenoitfonds.org.
The project already benefits from the generous support of the following sponsors:
CEPA – Antwerp Port Employers' Association
DCA
Fast Lines Belgium
Flemish Real Estate Federation
VLEEMO
Vopak Belgium
Lien d'eau
Vent sur le ruisseau