In march 1997, with the collaboration of Ente Triennale Internazionale degli Strumenti ad Arco (Board of the Triennal) the Consortium opened the Centre of Cremonese Violinmaking, located in Palazzo Fodri. The services offered by the Consortium include assistance and guidance to the members, on one hand, as well as provide a center of encounter between makers and musicians, on the other. The Consortium offers a guarantee of quality of the instruments made by its members.

The main achievement of the consortium is the opening of a Permanent Exhibition of Contemporary Cremonese Violinmaking in Palazzo Fodri, which offers a rotating selection of instruments made by members, so visitors can play the instruments and the bows.

The art of violin and bow making requires a long training procedure, a special aptitude and sensibility, a long and intense practical experience. For whoever dedicates himself to this profession, the development of his technical skills and his professional experience becomes vital and evergrowing elements. Thus the creation of an instrument or a bow represents the particular fusion of artistic sensibility and technical experience.

On the basis of these considerations, the Consortium would like to promote and raise the quality, the cultural, the economical and the professional standard of all its members, through activities and services.

This wide-ranging project sets the aim of ensuring an economic growth and maturity in terms of professionality, consciousness and knowledge, as well as the development and definition of principals and rules of professional ethic.

Looking in this direction, and for the benefit of its members, the Consortium promotes - both through its own initiatives and in collaboration with other bodies and associations and foundations - training, research and scientific development in the field of violinmaking, restoration and conservation, assisting in the exchange of information in the violinmaking world.

The Palazzo Fodri holds a Permanent Exhibition of stringed instruments and bows made by contemporary cremonese violin and bow makers inside the Consortium. Visitors interested in buying any instrument or bow, or simply attracted by the chance to listen to instruments made by Stradivari’s heirs, can try them in all freedom.

COMMITTEE

President
Luisa Vania Campagnolo

Secretary
Cristina Dernini