Renovation of the Schumann House completed
The city of Düsseldorf has spent four years renovating the former home of the famous musical couple Clara and Robert Schumann - now the Schumann House is about to open. On Friday, the city and the Heinrich Heine Institute presented the new premises before the house opens its doors to the public as a museum on December 1st.
The composer Robert and his wife, the pianist Clara Schumann, lived in the house for three years, from 1852 to 1855, together with their seven children. "No other place would be more suitable to commemorate the life and work of Clara and Robert Schumann," said Miriam Koch, Councillor for Culture and Integration of the City of Düsseldorf.
The composer is said to have created around a third of his works during his time in Düsseldorf, including the famous "Rhenish Symphony", a copy of which can be seen and heard. "Not a note without a sound," said Sabine Brenner-Wilczek, Director of the Heinrich Heine Institute - so all of the couple's music on display will also be heard.
Appropriate for historical monuments and barrier-free
A total of around 100 exhibits from the state capital's Schumann collection will be on display in the museum. These will be regularly exchanged for other pieces from the collection. There will also be replicas of pieces of furniture belonging to the Schumanns, which are also intended to be touched.
According to the city, the conversion work and furnishing of the museum cost around 7.7 million euros. The work was complex. The building had to be refurbished to be both a listed building and barrier-free. The money for this came from funding from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia as well as private donors and foundations.
There had been a long-running dispute between the city and cellist Thomas Beckmann, who had lived there for decades, over the Schumann House in Düsseldorf's old town.
The Schumann House, now transformed into a museum, offers visitors a chance to delve into the life and works of the renowned musical duo Clara and Robert Schumann. The museum is not just a collection of exhibits; visitors can interact with replicas of the couple's furniture, making the experience more immersive.
Museum-goers can also enjoy listening to some of Robert Schumann's famous compositions, as Miriam Koch, the Councillor for Culture and Integration, mentioned that "not a note without a sound" will be exhibited. This musical element adds a unique touch to the experience, making the Schumann House an attraction for music lovers and history enthusiasts alike.
Source: www.dpa.com
