The celesta is operated by a keyboard. It looks similar to an upright piano or a large wooden music box. The keys connect to hammers that strike a graduated set of metal plates suspended over wooden resonators. The sound of the celesta is similar to that of the glockenspiel, but with a much softer and more subtle timbre. The celesta was invented in 1866 by builder Auguste Mustel.
Ray Charles and Stanley Sadie are considered famous celesta players.
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