Who was Antonio Stradivari? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Died At Age: 93

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Francesca Feraboschi, Zambelli Costa

father: Alessandro Stradivari

mother: Anna Moroni

siblings: Carlo Felice Stradivari, Giovanni Battista Stradivari, Giuseppe Giulia Cesare Stradivari

children: Alessandro Stradivari, Catterina Stradivari, Francesca Maria Stradivari, Francesco Stradivari, Giovanni Battista Giuseppe Stradivari, Giovanni Battista Martino Stradivari, Giulia Maria Stradivari, Giuseppe Antonio Stradivari, Omobono Stradivari, Paolo Stradivari

Italian Men

Died on: December 18, 1737

place of death: Cremona

Recommended For You

1

Where are most Stradivarius violins currently located?

Many Stradivarius violins are currently located in museums, private collections, and with prominent musicians and orchestras around the world.
2

What makes Stradivarius violins so valuable and sought after?

Stradivarius violins are known for their exceptional craftsmanship, superior sound quality, and historical significance, which contribute to their high value and desirability.
3

How many Stradivarius violins are estimated to still exist today?

It is estimated that around 650-750 Stradivarius violins are still in existence today, although the exact number is uncertain due to various factors.
4

Are there any modern replicas or copies of Stradivarius violins available?

Yes, there are modern replicas and copies of Stradivarius violins created by skilled luthiers and violin makers who aim to replicate the craftsmanship and sound of the original instruments.
5

What are some famous musicians who have played Stradivarius violins?

Many renowned musicians and violinists throughout history, such as Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, and Anne-Sophie Mutter, have played Stradivarius violins in their performances.

Childhood & Early Life

There are no established records of Antonio’s birth, but some evidences suggest that he was probably born in 1644 in Cremona. He was the son of Anna Moroni and Alessandro Stradivari.

He may have started his apprenticeship with Nicolo Amati, as many of his early instruments resembled Amati’s style. Some other sources also suggest that he started his career as a wood worker and worked mainly on designs of Amati’s violins.

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Career

Under the guidance of Amati, Antonio started producing decent instruments in 1660; he was merely 16 then. He stayed with Amati for a few more years, until he got a solid foothold in the world of instrument-makers.

In the initial days, he produced many stringed instruments like mandolins, guitars, and lutes. The basic design still resembled Amati’s, but Antonio started with his experimentations with design and tone.

During 1680’s, his experimentations gave birth to solid violins which had different finishes. Gradually he was deviating from his mentor’s style. The sound of these violins was extremely powerful, and they were soon popular not only in Cremona but also in other places.

After Amati’s death in 1684, Antonio consolidated his position as the finest violin-maker in Cremona.

He dabbled in intricacies of instrument-making and his precision increased as evident from his 1690 creation, the ‘Tuscan violin’, where inserting the purfling rapidly needed dexterity and accuracy.

During this time, he also started innovating and the result was ‘Long strads’ or long pattern violins which are longer than the traditional instruments. The fuller deeper sound that the instrument produced made it quite popular among musicians.

The period of 1700 to 1720 is known as the most productive years of his career. Discarding the long violin, he started making instruments that combined the rich tone of his previous creations with sweet sounds of a traditional Cremonese violin. The wood was always maple, and the orange-brown varnish became his trademark.

The creations from this period became famous as individual entities. Notable ones are ‘Alard’, ‘Betts’, and ‘Messiah’, which Antonio never sold during his lifetime.

Antonio also experimented with the cello, and with the growing demand for smaller instruments made several smaller cellos between 1707 and 1710.

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By 1720, his failing health including his poor eyesight started affecting his work and his sons along with another employee helped him during this period. Many of the instruments produced during this time bore the inscription ‘under the discipline of Antonio Stradivari’.

Major Works

The eminent instrument maker had a great influence on the Cremonense violin making school and his style defined violin making across the globe for over the next three centuries. Stradivari is credited with the design of the 'long strad violin' which were inspiration for future luthiers such as Daniel Parker and Jean Baptiste Vuillaume.

Personal Life & Legacy

Antonio was married twice in his lifetime. In the year 1667, he was married to Francesca Feraboschi. The couple had six children. Two of his sons from this marriage would later become violin-makers like their father.

In 1698, Francesca died, and the next year, Antonio married Antonia Maria Zambelli. There were five children from this marriage, but no one was part of the instrument-making business.

Antonio died on December 18, 1737 at the age of 93. The accomplished luthier and his second wife were buried in a tomb across the street at ‘Chapel of the Rosary’ of the ‘Church of San Domenico’.

Antonio has largely influenced instrument making in Cremona bringing his own style. His unique style was adopted by international makers like Barak Norman, who was one of the finest instrument-makers in Britain.

During the 1720s, Daniel Parker greatly influenced by Antonio’s work produced violins which are now sold at auctions fetching a handsome price. Antonio’s designs were also copied by Jean Baptiste Vuillaume.

Facts About Antonio Stradivari

Antonio Stradivari was known for his meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship, often working in secrecy to protect his trade secrets.

Despite being one of the most famous violin makers in history, Stradivari also made other string instruments such as guitars, cellos, and violas.

It is said that Stradivari experimented with different types of wood and varnish to achieve the perfect sound quality in his instruments.

Some of Stradivari's violins are believed to have unique characteristics, such as asymmetrical f-holes, which may have contributed to their exceptional sound.

Stradivari's instruments have been prized by musicians and collectors for centuries, with some of his violins selling for millions of dollars at auctions.

Antonio Stradivari Biography

You wanted to know

Where are most Stradivarius violins currently located?

What makes Stradivarius violins so valuable and sought after?

How many Stradivarius violins are estimated to still exist today?

Are there any modern replicas or copies of Stradivarius violins available?

What are some famous musicians who have played Stradivarius violins?