Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars at the MIM

On November 8, the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) opens its newest special exhibition: Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars. The exhibition presents more than 70 exemplary string instruments and bows made by Antonio Stradivari and other preeminent European makers of the 16th to the 19th century.Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars will be celebrated with a three-day Signature Event at MIM on November 8, 9, and 10.

This collection of spectacular violins, guitars, lutes, and bows shows how the materials and techniques developed by Stradivari and other iconic luthiers, such as Andrea Amati and Giuseppe Guarneri “del Gesù,” elevated fine string instruments into timeless masterpieces that remain astonishing today.

“Stradivarius is synonymous with the pinnacle of violin making,” says Matthew Zeller, MIM’s curator for Europe. “Other European instrument makers achieved similar levels of excellence. This exhibition will introduce guests to these influential makers and reveal many fascinating connections between violin making and guitar making, providing guests with an opportunity to relate centuries-old masterworks to modern instruments in their own lives.”

In addition to historic instruments from MIM’s permanent collection and loans from renowned institutions such as the National Music Museum, the exhibition features loans from private collectors, many of which have never been publicly displayed.

Exhibition highlights include:
• “Tartini” violin by Antonio Stradivari, c. 1720. This magnificent violin by the great Cremonese master comes from late in his golden period, when he made his most renowned instruments. Private Collection
• Mandolino coristo by Antonio Stradivari, c. 1700–1710. One of only two known surviving mandolins by Stradivari, this instrument is displayed with its original case. Loan courtesy of Beare Violins Ltd
• Violin by Andrea Amati, c. 1560s. Andrea Amati created the violin and the violin family as we know them today. This violin is one of only twenty-three made by Amati known to survive today. MIM Collection
• Violin by Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri “del Gesù,” 1728. This important violin dates to the early period of Guarneri’s burgeoning independence, displaying both the influence of his father’s training and early signs of his characteristics. Loan courtesy of Beare Violins Ltd
• Violin bow by François Xavier Tourte, c. 1785. Often called the “Stradivarius of the bow,” François Xavier Tourte solidified the modern bow in its current form and refined its features. Loan courtesy of Kenneth Warren & Son, Ltd.
• Guitar from the school of Matteo Sellas, c. 1625. This Venetian guitar is embellished with ivory, ebony, tortoiseshell, and pearl, and it has a tiered “wedding cake” rose, a common feature of guitars until the mid-18th century. Loan courtesy of Austin-Marie Collection
• Guitar by Alexandre Voboam, 1652. Fewer than 30 guitars signed by members of the Voboam family survive today; this is one of four crafted by the elder Alexandre Voboam. Loan courtesy of Austin-Marie Collection
• Chitarriglia by Joachim Tielke, 1684. This lavishly decorated small guitar was made to be tuned higher than the conventionally sized baroque guitar. Loan courtesy of Austin-Marie Collection The opening weekend of Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars will be celebrated with a three-day Signature Event at MIM on November 8, 9, and 10. The weekend will include family-friendly activities such as curator talks, an instrument conservation talk, and instrument demonstrations. The programming also includes live performances by violin virtuoso Rachel Barton Pine, guitar experts Jeff Wells and Jon Mendle, the Phoenix Symphony,
and more.

For more information, visit mim.org.