I remember only a few years ago going to the V&A musical instrument
section on a Saturday morning and being asked to leave after about 20
minutes. The reason given was that there was no member of staff
available. I was at that time obsessing about 18th century cistres -
the V&A has a very interesting selection. In fact, I actually got told
to leave, albeit politely.
I was really surprised that a major museum wouldn't have enough staff
(if that was the real reason) to man a section of it on a Saturday. I
complained to a few - very sympathetic -members of staff who gave me the
impression that they didn't like the situation either.
As a general rule, developed over years, I approach museums with musical
instruments with circumspection. It's a really impressive bonus if they
are actually open and they actually have instruments on display. My
default presumption is that they will be closed or the instruments will
not be on show. I learned this from Liverpool, years ago: they have
instruments but never on display. But going on holiday to other
countries is the same: lots of time spent tracking down the location of
the museum only to find it closed.
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