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Scan 98
A dictionary of violin makers, 1896
24 lines. Read by computer on 27 September 2026. Printed page 90. See the scan on archive.org.
1type. Many of his pupils became celebrated makers, such as Carlo Bergonzi, Alessandro Gagliano, Lorenzo and Giambattista Guadagnini, &c. Stradivari had married, July 4, 1667, Francesca Ferraboschi (b. 1640, the widow of Giovanni Giacomo Capra); she died May 25, 1698 She had six children, of whom four were sons: Francesco, b. Feb. 6, 1670, d. six days later; Francesco, b. Feb. 1, 1671, he worked with his father and d. May 11, 1743; Alessandro, b. May 25, 1677, he became a priest and d. Jan. 26, 1732; Omobono, b. Nov. 14, 1679, he worked with his father and d. July 8, 1742. On June 3, 1680, Stradivari purchased from the Brothers Picenardi, for about £280, the house formerly known as 2, piazza San Domenico, now as 1, piazza Roma; it was there that all his famous work was done. He married his second wife on August 24, 1699, Antonia Zambelli (b. June 11, 1664, d. March 3, 1737), she had five children, of whom four were sons: Gio. Battista Giuseppe, b. Nov. 6, 1701, d. eight months later; Gio. Battista Martino, b. Nov. 11, 1703, d. Nov. 1, 1727; Giuseppe, b. Oct. 27, 1704, became a priest and d. Nov. 29, 1781; Paolo, b. Jan. 26, 1708, d. Oct. 19, 1776. Stradivari is described as a tall thin man, incessantly working, in his white leather apron and his white cap; he made a great deal of money, for in his time "ricco come Stradivari" (rich as Stradivari) was quite a proverb in Cremona.
3Stradivari, Francesco, son of Antonio Stradivari; b. Feb. 1, 1671, Cremona; d. May 11, 1743. Was a pupil of his father and worked in his workshop until Antonio's death; he then continued to work with his brother Omobono. He made several violins and violas, in which he placed his own label, from about 1725 to 1740; his work shows the excellent school in which he had been trained, and has genuine merit, but is much inferior to that of his father. The varnish is very beautiful, though quite different to that of Antonio, it is of brownish hue; the scroll is heavy, the work not very carefully finished, but the tone rich and penetrating. Label: "Franciscus Stradivarius Cremonensis filius Antonii faciebat, anno 1742."
5Stradivari, Omobono, son of Antonio; b. Nov. 14, 1679; d. July 8, 1742. He worked with his brother Francesco in his father's workshop; the label they used was inscribed "sotto la disciplina d'A. Stradivarius, Cremona." But he made few new instruments, and chiefly occupied himself in repairing old ones. Label: "Omobonus Stradiuarius filius Antonii Cremonae fecit, anno 1740."
7Straub. Two labels are known, the one: "Simon Straub von Friedenweiller, 1706," in a viola bastarda of light and delicate workmanship; the other: "Mathias Straub zu Friedenwiller auf dem Schwarzwald, anno 17—."
9Straube (Staube). A maker in Berlin about 1770-75. His instruments are seldom seen, but they are of good workmanship, made on the Cremona pattern, with amber-coloured varnish. He was an excellent repairer of old instruments.
11Strauss, Joseph. A maker in Neustadt about 1745-50.
13Strnad, Caspar, b. in Bohemia about 1750. He settled in Prague and worked there, 1781-95. His violins and violoncellos show good work, the sound-holes are generally small and well-cut, the varnish a yellow-chestnut colour; his guitars also were much liked. Label: "Caspar Strnad fecit Pragae, anno 1789."
15Strobl, Johann. A maker in Hallein in the 18th century.
17Strong, John. A viol of his, of peculiar shape, with double purfling, was exhibited in the South Kensington Museum in 1872. The old head and neck had been replaced by the work of one of the Banks, of Salisbury. Label: "John Strong, Somerset, 16—."
19Sturge, H. It is doubtful if he ever made new instruments, but he certainly repaired old ones; in 1811 he was living in Bristol, but in 1853 was settled in Huddersfield.
21Sulot, Nicolas. A maker in Dijon, 1825-40. In 1839 he took out a patent for an "echo" violin, made with three plates instead of two.
23Sursano (Sorsano), Spiritus. A maker in Cuneo about 1714-35; the little of his work that is known, is very inferior. Label: "Spiritus Sorsano fecit Cunei, 1734."
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