To mark the successful completion of the installation of Elekta Linear Accelerators by Technoline Ltd at the Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre, a 300-year-old Stradivarius worth an astonishing €10 million will soon star in a one-off concert in Malta. 'A Stradivarius Among Us', which is being held under the distinguished patronage of HE , The President of Malta, will take place at St Paul's Anglican Cathedral. Monies collected will be donated to various cancer charities.
"Crafted by the legendary luthier, Antonio Stradivari, in 1715, the 'ex Bazzini - De Vito' is an iconic instrument that has become a celebrity in its own right," says Mro Matteo Fedeli, who, on 15 March, will play the instrument for one of the first times in the past half a century.
"In fact, this particular Antonio Stradivari was created during one of the master's best periods, and its name is derived from two famous musicians who had a deep connection with it," he continues.
"The first was the great Mro Bazzini, who considered this particular violin one of his favourites, while the second was the world-renowned, British-Italian classic violinist Gioconda De Vito, who performed on this violin."
Known as 'The Man of the Stradivari', Mro Matteo Fedeli is renowned for being the only person in the world who has performed on 25 of the 60 Stradivari violins that are still in good enough condition to be played. In fact, his on-going series of concerts as part of 'Uno Stradivari Per La Gente' ('A Stradivarius for the People') have collectively garnered an audience of over 400,000 people.
"A Stradivarius is unlike any other string instrument," elucidates Mro Fedeli. "Its sound is more intricate, its resonance is stronger and its namesake gives it an aura that is unmatched by any other instrument in the world."
Over the years, many have tried to crack the master's secrets, and the majestic sound of his string instruments have been attributed to his secret formula for varnish, the wood he used, how porous that wood was, and even the re-defined dimensions of his instruments. Although many theories have surfaced, no conclusive answer has ever been given.
"The truth is that it doesn't matter what makes a Stradivarius's sound so special. All that matters is that we have them and that the public can, on occasions like this, enjoy them," Mro Fedeli concludes.
'A Stradivarius Among Us' will take place on Sunday 15 March at 8.30pm at St Paul's Anglican Cathedral in Valletta. Tickets can be purchased from www.ticketline.com.mt and start at just €15. Monies collected will be distributed to various cancer charitie