PIO MONTANARI THE LUTHIER OF THE HIGHEST LIGURIAN TRADITION

Violins, violas and cellos are born or reborn in a frescoed workshop in Sottoripa, in Genoa's historic centre

PIO MONTANARI THE LUTHIER OF THE HIGHEST LIGURIAN TRADITION

The most famous and sought-after luthier of the 19th century was the Genoese Nicolò Bianchi. His copies of antique musical instruments were in great demand by musicians all over Europe. A fine connoisseur of classical Italian violin making, he had among his favourite models a Guarneri del Gesù violin from 1741, similar to the 'Cannone', the mighty violin played by the Genoese genius Niccolò Paganini and today on display at the Strada Nuova Museum in Palazzo Tursi. Such a high tradition is still alive today among Ligurian violin makers.

In a splendid frescoed room on the piano nobile of Casatorre in Via di Sottoripa in Genoa, the violin maker Pio Montanari has been working for more than 25 years. In his workshop he builds and restores violins, violas and cellos in full respect of the highest violin-making tradition, passionately pursuing a constant study of the various aspects of construction and restoration, from the choice of the best materials to the ideal varnish to guarantee the best acoustics and power of sound.