Scan 233
The violin: its famous makers and their imitators, 1884
17 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. Printed page 67. See the scan on archive.org.
1might be found particulars that would link together much of the information we already possess.
3The date of birth of Antonio Stradivari was made known by M. Fétis in 1856,* upon evidence contained in an inventory of instruments which belonged to Count Cozio di Salabue. The inventory was made upon the occasion of the instruments being deposited with Carlo Carli, a Milanese banker. Among the Violins there appears to have been one by Antonio Stradivari, bearing a label upon which, in the handwriting of its maker, was stated his age, namely, ninety-two years, and the date 1736; thus making the year of birth 1644.
5"That plain white-aproned man who stood at work,
6Patient and accurate, full fourscore years,
7Cherished his sight and touch by temperance;
8And, since keen sense is love of perfectness,
9Made perfect Violins, the needed paths
10For inspiration and high mastery."
11Stradivari, by GEORGE ELIOT.
13Previous to the publication of this evidence by M. Fétis, the date of birth was given as 1664, and it has recently been stated as 1649 or 1650.† Don Paolo Lombardini, in his pamphlet on Stradivari published at Cremona in 1872, gives an interesting genealogical account of the great Cremonese maker and his family. The author follows the date of birth as stated by M. Fétis. This is succeeded
15* "Antoine Stradivari, luthier célèbre, par F. I. Fétis. Paris, 1856."
16† "Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 1883."
Makers on this page
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