The haunting notes of a rare, €10m Stradivarius violin filled the corridors of the Grandmaster’s Palace yesterday morning ahead of a one-off concert this evening by Matteo Fedeli.
The ex-Bazzini-de Vito violin, named for the two great masters who have played it in its 300-year history, was crafted by the legendary Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari in 1715 and is one of only 60 such instruments in playable condition left in the world.
“The music of the Stradivarius is special,” said Mro Fedeli, showcasing the violin for the general public. “Stradivari built this instrument when he was 70 and inside the instrument is all the experience of the violin-maker.”
When I finish my concerts, and clean the instrument and place it back in its case, the violin smiles at me and reminds me that I am only its violinist
Mro Fedeli, who has performed on 25 different Stradivarius violins to over 400,000 people across the world – including Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI – is in Malta as part of a European and American tour.
“It’s amazing for me because I can enter into the history of the violin,” he said of following the great violinists Antonio Bazzini and Gioconda De Vito in playing the instrument.
Internationally renowned Maestro Matteo Fedeli holds the rare €10m Stradivarius violin at yesterday’s press conference.“When I finish my concerts, and clean the instrument and place it back in its case, the violin smiles at me and reminds me that I am only its violinist.”
He added that his goal is to bring the violins’ unique sound to as many people as possible. “The genius of the composers and the violin-maker can be appreciated by everyone: with their ears but also with their heart.”
Mro Fedeli will be accompanied during this evening’s concert, A Stradivarius Among Us, by the Orchestra D’Archri e Coro da Camera dell’Accademia Concertante d’Archi di Milano, under the baton of Maestro Mauro Ivano Benaglia.
Speaking on behalf of organisers Elekta and Technoline, Jo Caruana explained that the performance marked the completion of the installation and commissioning of three Linear Accelerators at the purpose-built Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Hospital. Part of the proceeds of the concert will be distributed to various cancer charities. “Thanks to these linear accelerators, patients suffering from various types of cancer will be able to receive external radiotherapy treatment that can be directed towards any tumour in any part of the body,” she said.
A Stradivarius Among Us takes place at 8.30pm at St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral in Valletta. The last few remaining tickets can be purchased from www.ticketline.com.mt.