Rienzi, the MFAH house museum for European decorative arts, is the former home of philanthropists Carroll Sterling Masterson and Harris Masterson III. In addition to giving their home and remarkable art collection to the MFAH, the Mastersons donated their collections of music and books.

While researching the music collection in 2018, MFAH librarian Joel Pelanne made quite a discovery: an unknown recording of famed African American pianist and composer Margaret Bonds.

Margaret Bonds

► Find out more about Rienzi’s music collection, the unique hi-fi installed at the house, and how the rare recording from the late 1960s was discovered.

Mark Your Calendar
To celebrate the discovery of this notable recording, Rienzi teams up with ROCO (formerly the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra) for a performance of music by Margaret Bonds on February 4. Livestreamed from the Rienzi galleries, the free virtual concert features pianist Howard Watkins and bass-baritone Timothy Jones. Watch via Facebook Live, Thursday, February 4, at 7 p.m.

Education programs at Rienzi receive generous funding from the Sterling-Turner Foundation; Alkek and Williams Foundation; Carroll Sterling and Harris Masterson III Endowment; Isla Carroll Turner Friendship Trust; and the Caroline Wiess Law Endowment for Rienzi.