There’s been a buzz in the music crowd about the return of the Hermitage Museum’s intimate musical performance series. Last year the Hermitage hosted three shows under the banner of “LIVE From the Music Room”. These shows were limited to around 40 people or under, which proved to be strikingly different than other venues. 

I caught up with Andrew Cronin, the public programs manager at the Hermitage Museum, to discuss the 2023 season. This interview has been lightly edited for clarity. 

Paul: So Andrew, I heard great things about last year’s performances from a number of attendees. What prompted or inspired this series? 

Andrew: We have a custom 1914 Steinway piano here at the Hermitage Museum & Gardens. It not only serves as a functional instrument but also as part of our historic art collection. As is often the case with vintage instruments, the piano requires regular maintenance and repairs. In 2019, our Curator of Collections, Lindsay Neal, wrote and received a grant to have much-needed conservation performed on the instrument. 

When the piano returned to the Hermitage in late 2021, I developed LIVE from the Music Room to commemorate the moment. 

It’s worth noting that Florence Sloane (founder of the Hermitage Museum) had the Steinway piano custom made to her specifications. These customizations include decorative woodwork and a slightly smaller size (she was about 5 feet tall). Visitors to the museum are welcomed and encouraged to play the instrument which helps maintain its reliability and functionality. 

Paul: So, given this incredible instrument, why is it so important that these crowds are smaller than a normal performance might be?

Andrew: The intimacy and proximity to the music and performers is something that can only happen at the Hermitage. Being able to sit in that historic room with other people and experience it as a collective group but to also have your own unique experience within yourself is really, really special and something that doesn’t happen too much anymore.

Paul: For those folks who are unfamiliar, can you tell us more about what kind of shows you did in 2022? 

Andrew: We had three shows in 2022. The first was a dynamic performance by members of the Norfolk State University Choir. The second show was with Zachary Hines II, who leads the band FORTRESSES. Zachary performed a solo piano set of narrative jazz fusion. The third performance featured students from The Governor’s School for the Arts under the direction of Dr. Stephen Coxe.

Paul: With those three concerts in the books for 2022 and with great reviews from those, what are you hoping to accomplish with the 2023 season?

Andrew: LIVE from the Music Room provides a space for performers to do whatever they want. The truth is I don’t really know what is going to happen at these shows and that unknown is thrilling and addictive. My goals are for the performers to feel empowered and for the audience to walk away with a new Hermitage memory. For this season, I also really wanted to expand the series to not only include our custom 1914 Steinway piano in every show but to broaden the scope of the event to include other instruments and all genres of music.

Paul: The Hermitage is a particularly unique building in Norfolk. How does the venue add to the experience of these shows? 

Andrew: The Hermitage Museum means many things to many people. People have their own unique histories and memories here. You can feel it when you’re on the grounds and when you step inside. The Music Room (also referred to as The Gothic Drawing Room) has been entertaining people for over a hundred years so it’s a privilege to be able to continue the legacy of performance in that space. It has a real magic to it.

Here’s all the details you need to know:

JANUARY 27: TORRIN PURKETT (NOW SOLD OUT)
Soulful, cinematic, improvisational, jazz, gospel, blues, house

FEBRUARY 10: THE GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS QUARTET
An evening of jazz with GSA Students

APRIL 14: DAPZAM
Experimental indie pop

Doors for each Live From the Music Room open at 6:15 p.m. for guests to mingle, explore the Hermitage’s art collection, and purchase drinks from an indoor bar before the performance at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members and are now on sale here.

Paul Stetson Rice

Chelsea, NFK

Paul is the creator of NFKVA.com. He was born and raised in Norfolk, graduated from Virginia Tech, and narrowly avoided law school. Chat with him about economics, entrepreneurship, hip-hop, and hiking. When he's not working on five different projects, you'll catch him sharing a beer with friends at a local brewery.