Grand reunion for piano that survived 150 years of drama

A GRAND piano that survived being shipwrecked off Australia's Great Barrier Reef along with its owner has been returned to its former home after 150 years.

- By Matt Nixson

Once owned by the celebrated concert pianist Arabella Goddard, the beautiful Broadwood piano survived maritime disaster, scandal and even a hostage situation in a Sydney theatre.

Now it is back on display where it once held pride of place at the National Trust's Cragside, in Rothbury, Northumberland.

Goddard was a global sensation in the 1870s, touring internationally with her Broadwood piano to promote the new rosewood model.

But the Australian leg of her worldwide tour was riddled with bad luck.

In June 1874, she was marooned off the coast of Queensland when RMS Flintshire ran aground during a storm.

After a harrowing night in an open boat, she was recovered along with her piano and continued with her concerts across Australia.