Remarkable craftsmanship is evident in the Italian violins of old. The devotion of the early Italian luthiers to this instrument is evident. One only has to listen or gaze upon a violin made during this era to see that it has earned the reputation of a "holy grail" of violins. In this article, a brief look at three master crafters from the Italian school of Cremona will be examined.

Nicolo Amati was the son and disciple of Girolamo Amati. Nicolo was born in 1596 and is considered his family's finest luthier. Amati violins are beloved for many reasons, particularly their brilliant varnish, which comes in shades ranging from yellow-brown to golden red. They are also renowned for their sweet, penetrating tones. Due to its higher arching, however, an Amati violin lacks the sheer power of a Stradivari. Amati violins usually have a length of 14 inches, though sometimes they are slightly shorter. Many members of the Amati family died during the plague, but Nicolo survived and went on to become the master of Antonio Stradivari, the world's greatest violin maker. Nicolo Amati lived until 1684.

Antonio Stradivari, born 1644, made violins even up to the year of his death in 1737. He inscribed on his labels his age at various times even up to "d'Anni 93", a reference to his age of 93 at the time. A verbal description of him by a violin virtuoso, Polledro, who alleged that his old teacher had known Stradivari personally) was that he was a tall and lean man who wore a white wollen cap and white leather apron when working. Stradivari violins provide evidence that he was a pupil of Nicolo Amati. In fact, it is alleged that he became Amati's pupil at 11 years of age.

Carlo Bergonzi, born 1676, worked in the workshop of Antonio Stradivari (in whose house he lived after 1746). It is said that he was the favorite pupil of Stradivari. Bergonzi's violins have a magnificent, brilliant tone capable of reaching the corners of the largest concert hall and are well-liked as concert instruments. Bergonzi inherited all the working materials of Stradivari in 1742. Bergonzi died in 1747.

The Cremona school of violin making is highly esteem in the violin world today. The love of the violin demonstrated by these three Italian luthiers is largely responsible for the strongly preferred status of the school. Their workmanship has stood the test of time.

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