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“The collection now contains over 200 select instruments (viola da gamba, viola d’amore, violin,viola, violoncello, violone, baryton) and historical bows dating mostly from 1570 to 1780, all restored to their original playing conditions and placed at the disposal of members of the Orpheon Orchestra, Orpheon Consort and professional musicians all over Europe for competitions, concerts, recordings and study purposes. It is the living acoustical heritage – the sounds that these instruments produce for those living today – that interests us, and not their mere decorative flair as objets trouvés from aristocratic residences from our distant past. We wish to hear what these instruments have to say.”

Collection includes these Italian violins:

• Italian, 16th C.?
• Nicolò Amati , Cremona, 1669
• Carlo Testore , Milano, 18th C.
• Matthias Albanus , Bozen, ca. 1680
• Antonio Pollusca , Roma, 1741
• Gian Antonio Marchi , Bologna, ca. 1770
• Milanese School , North Italy, c. 1700
• Italian , Cremona or Venice?, ca. 1700
• Italian, Grancino-School, Milano, 18th C.

Plus 15 from the Hasburg Empire, and 15 others

Instruments may be in use by the Orpheon Foundation, display needs to be confirmed.