Antonio Stradivari, Music: History, Composers, And Performers, Biographies

Related Category: Music: History, Composers, And Performers, Biographies

Antonio Stradivari[AntO´nyO strAdEvA´rE] Pronunciation Key, or Antonius Stradivarius[antO´nEus stradivAr´Eus] Pronunciation Key, 1644–1737, Italian violin maker of Cremona; pupil of NiccolO Amati. He was apprenticed to Amati c.1658 and may have remained with him until Amati's death in 1684. Stradivari's earliest extant label is dated 1666 and his last 1737. His finest instruments were made after 1700. He produced at least 1,116 instruments, of which 540 violins, 12 violas, and 50 cellos were known. He also made fine viols, guitars, and mandolins. His workmanship brought the violin to perfection, and later artisans have tried to imitate his instruments. His commissions included those from James II of England and Charles III of Spain. Two of his sons, Francesco Stradivari (1671–1743) and Omobono Stradivari (1679–1742), worked with him and continued the craft after his death, producing a number of fine instruments.

See studies by A. E. and W. H. Hill (1902) and H. K. Goodkind (1973).