Woody Mann, guitarist, a "modern master" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, currently has on view a splendid exhibition titled Guitar Heroes: Legendary Craftsmen from Italy to New York (February 9-July 4, 2011). It is installed in the downstairs floor of the Lehman Wing. Acoustic and electric guitars crafted by the great Italo-American instrument makers--John D'angelico, James D'Aquisto, and John Montelone are presented in a show that cannot but appeal to all who visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It certainly breaks new ground insofar as 20th-21st century instruments are the objects of wonder in this space, rather than Renaissance or Old Master paintings, drawings or manauscripts or well-known 20th-century masters, such as Morandi.
I was fortunate to visit this show a second time, after having carefully studied the instruments and helpful texts and video the previous week. At this second viewing, the musician Woody Mann gave a concert, using a John Monteleone guitar. A superb musician, Mr. Mann gently and masterfully entertained, in a casual manner, the fortunate visitors who by chance or design had entered the charmed space of the Lehman Wing whose mausoleum-like aspect was vivified by the music he played and by his presence. The Met's director Tom Campbell is to be congratulated for the wisdom to take chances, to open the MMA to novel but appropriate new uses. This exhibition is a must-see; for additional concerts that will be performed on Thursdays at 2:30, contact the museum for details.