Rare violin unveiled in Valletta

This morning, the ‘ex-Bazzini – de Vito’ violin, which was crafted by Italian master luthier Antonio Stradivari in 1715, was unveiled to the press at the Palace in Valletta. Maestro Matteo Fedeli (who will play the violin), Marc Cabourdin (of TAC Theatre, who produced the event), and Jo Caruana (on behalf of organisers Elekta and Technoline Ltd) addressed the press conference.

“‘A Stradivarius Among Us’ will be a one-off event organised by Elekta and Technoline Ltd under the distinguished patronage of H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, The President of Malta,” explained Marc Cabourdin.

“Playing the violin will be the internationally-renowned Maestro Matteo Fedeli, who is the only person in the world to have performed on 25 of the circa 60 playable Stradivarius violins.

Maestro Fedeli will be accompanied by the Orchestra d’Archri e Coro da Camera dell’Accademia Concertante d’Archi di Milano, under the baton of Maestro Mauro Ivano Benaglia. Monies collected from ticket sales and donations will be distributed to various cancer charities.

“Ultimately,” added Jo Caruana, “we must remember that this performance was brought together to mark the completion of the installation and commissioning of the three Elekta Linear Accelerators by Technoline Ltd at the purpose-built Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Hospital.

“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. And while the cause is by no means joyful; this advancement in our medical care, is definitely worth celebrating,” she added.

Maestro Matteo Fedeli, who has performed to over 400,000 people – including Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI – on 25 different Stradivarius violins, is now at the start of his European and American tour with the ‘ex-Bazzini – de Vito’.

“Malta is my second stop after Dubai, and I couldn’t be happier to be here. I think Elekta and Technoline are doing a great job of celebrating their noteworthy accomplishment, and it’s very important to have such cultural events tied with genuine and noble causes,” Mro Fedeli concludes.

To give people the opportunity to see this iconic violin in person, the Antonio Stradivari 1715 ‘ex-Bazzini – de Vito’ will be on display at the Grandmaster’s Palace in Valletta between noon and 3pm today, Saturday 14 March. Entrance is free.

‘A Stradivarius Among Us’ will take place tomorrow (Sunday 15 March) at 8.30pm at St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral in Valletta. The last few remaining tickets can be purchased from www.ticketline.com.mt or from the Embassy Box Office, and start at just €15. Monies collected will be distributed to various cancer charities.