A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Bergonzi, Carlo

BERGONZI, Carlo, a celebrated violin-maker of Cremona. Born towards the end of the 17th century, he worked from about 1716 to 1755. He was a pupil of Antonio Stradivari, whom he imitated very closely in his early efforts, while his later instruments shew much originality and character. Their form and tone are equally beautiful, and they may justly be ranked immediately after those of Stradivari and Joseph Guarneri. He made not only violins, but also violas and cellos, which however are now very rare. His son, Michel Angelo, was but an indifferent violin-maker.

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