News Summary
Colonial Williamsburg has introduced a handmade spinet-style harpsichord, priced at $21,000. Crafted by master makers Edward Wright and Melanie Belongia over 700 hours, this reproduction emulates a 1764 instrument by William Harris. Built using local materials, the harpsichord features a blend of oak and pine with intricate decorations. Its mellow tone has gained positive feedback from performers, and it reflects the rich musical heritage of the colonial era. While interest in purchasing has sparked, no serious inquiries have been made yet.
Williamsburg, Virginia – Colonial Williamsburg has unveiled a unique spinet-style harpsichord for sale, priced at $21,000. This handmade reproduction is crafted to emulate a 1764 instrument originally built by renowned craftsman William Harris in London.
Master harpsichord maker Edward Wright and journeyman Melanie Belongia dedicated approximately 700 labor hours over a two-year period to construct this instrument. It was built at the reconstructed Anthony Hay Cabinet Shop within Colonial Williamsburg.
The harpsichord’s frame features a combination of white oak and yellow pine, adorned with walnut and maple veneer. The craftsmen sourced most of the stock oak from their shop and used black walnut harvested from trees on Colonial Williamsburg property, which had been downed by Hurricane Irene in 2011.
The keyboard of the harpsichord is crafted with maple boarding. The keys are distinguished by white pine levers plated with bone for the natural notes and black-stained pearwood for accidentals. The artisans utilized traditional hand tools to finish the instrument, ensuring a polished surface and attractive appearance.
Additionally, Belongia completed all inlaid decorations and added an inked inscription to the harpsichord. The new instrument bears the inscription: “Wright & Belongia Fecit Williamsburg, Virginia 2024,” which mirrors the original’s Latin inscription.
The reproduction’s design navigated around the current restrictions on ivory usage, which the original instrument employed for key caps. The new harpsichord does not include ivory but aimed to preserve the sound quality of the original. The craftsmanship has resulted in a harpsichord that produces a “very mellow, powerful tone,” a characteristic that pleased its makers during testing.
The harpsichord was showcased during the Historical Keyboard Society of North America conference last year, where it drew favorable reviews from performers. Wright highlighted that their construction goal was to replicate the bright yet mellow tone attributed to the original instrument made by William Harris.
Through research conducted during the construction process, Wright and Belongia uncovered the historical context of William Harris and his family’s harpsichord-making legacy. Wright, who has a prolific background in musical instrument creation at Colonial Williamsburg, has constructed around 15 or 16 harpsichords throughout his 40-year career.
In terms of mechanics, the harpsichord produces sound by plucking strings with quills, setting it apart from the traditional piano, which utilizes felted hammers. The design evolution of the harpsichord has led to lighter variations, such as the spinet, which emerged around 1630.
There has been notable interest in purchasing the newly revealed spinet since its announcement, although there have been no serious inquiries as of yet. Prospective buyers seeking to explore this unique musical instrument can do so by contacting Colonial Williamsburg directly.
This groundbreaking project is not only a testament to the authentic craftsmanship of musical instruments from the colonial era but also serves as a valuable addition to the Colonial Williamsburg collection, ensuring the legacy of historical music continues to resonate.
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Colonial Williamsburg Unveils Handmade Reproduction Harpsichord
Additional Resources
- Daily Press: Colonial Williamsburg Spinet for Sale
- Wikipedia: Harpsichord
- Williamsburg Families: Palace Concert Event
- Google Search: Spinet Harpsichord
- WY Daily: Sine Nomine Concert
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Harpsichord
- Dignity Memorial: Ingeborg Curtis Obituary
- Google News: Colonial Williamsburg Spinet
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
