The Antonio Stradivari 1715 'ex-Bazzini - de Vito' was unveiled last Saturday at the Grandmaster's Palace in Valletta. The 300-year-old violin, estimated to be worth over €10 million, was the star of last Sunday's  'A Stradivarius Among Us' philanthropic concert.

The concert, held at St Paul's Pro-Cathedral in Valletta, collected funds to be distributed to various cancer-related charities.

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' was a one-off event organised by Elekta and Technoline Ltd under the distinguished patronage of President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca," 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 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' was on display at the Grandmaster's Palace in Valletta last Saturday.