Bizet's Composing Table Piano

This exceptionally rare combination of piano and composing table was made by Jean Roller for the French composer Fromental Halévy, whose daughter married Georges Bizet (1838-1875). She inherited the piano on Halévy’s death in 1862 and Bizet used it to compose his major works, including Carmen. The instrument survived in the Halévy family until they sold it to Alec Cobbe.