It was delivered into the hands of Master luthier Heyligers of Cremona The second violin of ETABfrom the KLOTZ School of Mittenwald (Germany) attributed according to the Master Violin Maker Rodolfo Fredi of Rome (born in Todi) to Sebastian (he writes “Klotrj di Mittenvaddt, probably Sebastiano”).
The Consolazione ETAB (formerly the Riunite Institutions of Charity and even before that the Congregation of Charity of Todi founded by the priors of Todi during the Renaissance) inherited two violins as part of the bequest of the Sardoli family.
The Sardoli family of Todi is registered generically in the Official Italian Noble List of 1922 with the title of patrician of Todi. The bibliography of this family is mentioned by Marquis Vittorio Spreti, in his Italian Historical-Noble Encyclopedia printed in Milan in 1936.
A delegation from ETAB and the Municipality of Todi represented by the Councilor for Culture Dr. Alessia Marta welcomed the Master Violin Maker to Todi by showing him the spaces for the exhibition scheduled for February 2025.
The first violin, a precious Odoardi (known as “Il Villan D’Ascoli”) restored in November 2022, was delivered, following a national competition, into the hands of the first violinist of the Scala di Milano Maestro Indro Borreani in May 2023.
This loan was renewed in view of the Todi, Città del Violino exhibition (21-22-23 February 2025) which includes masterclasses, two violin competitions (to award the two violins to young and very young people), violin making exhibition, workshops, seminars and dissemination activities.
Many names were involved thanks to the wise guidance of Maestro Prof. Luca Venturi: in addition to M. Heyligers for the violin making exhibition, Maestro Giuseppe Gibboni (Paganini prize 2021) and Maestro Marco Fiorini (Spalla de’ I) will be involved for the Masterclasses. Musicians), Maestro Alessandro Cervo (supporter of the Marchigiana Philharmonic Orchestra), Maestro Lorenzo Fabiani, (artistic director of the Accademia Musicale Sherazade), Maestro Barbara Agostinelli, founder and Artistic Director of the Accademia SINCRONÌA – Musica Arte Bellezza of Rome and many others.
Prestigious youth orchestras will be present. On the opening evening of Friday 21 February 2025, Maestro Indro Borreani will perform and will bring the instrument back to Todi to give it to the next winner of the violin competition.
We thank the municipal administration of Todi, Maestro Venturi, Maestro Violin Maker Heyligers and the local companies who have already given their availability to support this ambitious project aimed at young people as well as to recover the artistic and historical assets of ETAB (it is activated on the Klotz l ‘art bonus) with the aim of simultaneously promoting the name of the City of Todi in the world of culture and dutifully remembering, with two renewed ambassadors (Ed. the violins of Todi) the noble Sardoli family who with an act of extreme generosity decided to leave their belongings to give opportunities to deserving young people.
