Day 4: How to Craft a Masterpiece Violin

We departed Milan and before heading to Venice made a brief stop in Cremona, a city noted for its musical history and traditions, including some of the earliest and most renowned luthiers, such as Giuseppe Guarneri, Antonio Stradivari, Francesco Rugeri, Vincenzo Rugeri, and some members of the Amati family.

We visited Cremona’s Academia Cremonensis– a violin and bow-making academy. Nicholas Gamberini, managing director of the Academia gave us a wonderful tour of the facilities and walkthrough of the process of the craft.

It was such an amazing experience to watch as artisans and students (soon to be artisans) make the precious instruments that our orchestra uses to make music! We then explored the Museo del Violino which highlighted the centuries and centuries of modification, design, and craftsmanship behind string instruments.

Of course, we had some free time to explore Cremona before departing for Venice. Thus, Chase Bellamy had an immersive and cultural experience as he learned how to eat pizza (keep up with the instagram!).