Reference Library Makers

B. 1711, Piacenza, d.1786, Turin

Traditionally spoken of as a pupil of his father, Lorenzo, or Antonio Stradivari, both these ideas have been discredited by modern research. In all probability largely self-taught, his earliest work dates from Piacenza in the early 1740s. Distinguished by a unique but well-proportioned pattern, he went on to establish himself first at Milan, where his best work was done between 1749 and 1758. He developed a grand model, with distinctive oval lower holes to the Fs, and used a glorious deep red varnish. After a short sojourn in Cremona in 1758, he moved on to Parma, where his instruments became increasingly mannered, with a high peaked arch, and less attractive varnish. In 1771 he moved again to Turin, where his work regained its confidence, and he produced some Stradivari-influenced instruments with flatter arching and superb tone. His last instruments are truly dramatic and highly sought after, although sometimes very crude and darkly varnished. He was also a prolific cello maker, and pioneered a distinctive small-bodied instrument with full arching and great power.