300-year-old Stradivarius violin, worth €10 million, to visit Malta

A 300-year-old Stradivarius crafted by the legendary string instrument-maker Antonio Stadivari is set to be played, for one of the first times in over half a century, at a concert here in Malta.

The concert, entitled A Stradivarius Among Us, will take place on Sunday 15 March at St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral in Valletta at 8.30pm, with proceeds going to various cancer charities.

Organised under the patronage of The President of Malta, and supported by Elekta and Technoline Ltd, A Stradivarius Among Us is a one-off concert that will feature the world-renowned Stradivarius player Mro Matteo Fedeli.

He will be playing the Antonio Stradivari 1715 ‘ex Bazzini – De Vito’, and will be backed by the Orchestra d’Archi e Coro Da Camera dell’Accademia Concertante d'Archi di Milano, under the baton of Mro Mauro Ivano Benaglia.

“Following months of hard work, we are very proud to announce this unique concert,” says project manager Marc Cabourdin, of TAC Theatre. “This will doubtlessly be a wonderful opportunity for many to see and, more importantly to listen to, one of the most beautiful and coveted instruments in the world.”

The concert, which will mark this particular Stradivarius’ 300th birthday, is the first stop on a tour that will see the Antonio Stradivari 1715 ‘ex Bazzini – De Vito’ and Mro Matteo Fedeli travel Europe and America together.

“Mro Matteo Fedeli has literally dedicated his life to bringing the sound of the iconic Stradivari to the public,” adds Cabourdin. “And we are extremely lucky to be one of the first countries in the world that will be able to listen to its incredible and unique sound in over 50 years!”

Ahead of the concert, the violin, which is estimated to cost an astonishing €10m, will also be on display at the President’s Palace in Valletta on Saturday 14 March; entry to the exhibition will be free.