violin
Giovanni Battista Guadagnini
built in Parma in 1770
The “Summer Violin,” built by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini in Parma, 1770.
History of this instrument
After a long process of trial and error, selection, and comparison through blind sound tests, this Guadagnini was purchased by the Musical Instrument Fund from a Dutch dealer in 2021. Violinist Carla Leurs was granted the violin on loan. The Music Instrument Fund closely involved Carla in the selection process so that, as the first player, she would receive a violin that matched her ideal sound as closely as possible. The purchase of this violin was made possible by an unexpected bequest from a loyal donor to the Musical Instrument Fund. In honor and memory of (oratorio) singer Hans Zomer, who passed away in June 2021, we have named this valuable addition to the collection the “Zomer Violin.”
About the builder Giovanni Battista Guadagnini
"GB," as Giovanni Battista Guadagnini was known, worked in five different cities over a period of forty-four years and is considered one of the finest and most prolific violin makers of his time. His earliest labels stated that his...
