Marco Coppiardi's profile

Marco Coppiardi, award-winning violin-maker, is the only U.S. violin-maker employing the age-old materials and techniques of the 16th-century Italian masters.

A native of Cremona, Italy, Coppiardi specializes in creating precise replicas of violins, violas and cellos by Stradivari, Guarneri and Amati. His technique is founded upon four hallmark "cornerstones" of authenticity, including the use of spruce from Val de Fiemme in the Italian Alps, the application of hand-made varnish and reliance upon tools modeled after those used centuries ago. His artfully crafted instruments are coveted by musicians around the world.

Following studies at Cremona's acclaimed International School of Violin Making (IPALL), Coppiardi apprenticed for 5 years under contemporary violin-making virtuoso Francesco Bissolotti, and completed intensive training in bow-making and silver engraving. The instruments he produced were played in French and Italian symphony orchestras. In 1992, after founding a workshop in Cremona, he relocated to the United States.

There, Coppiardi debuted as violin-maker-in-residence at Johnson String Instruments. In addition to spearheading Johnson's "Violin Workshop" for producing replicas of antique violins, violas and cellos and restoring vintage instruments, Coppiardi launched the firm's dealership division. Within it, he forged a partnership with top European bow-makers and became their exclusive U.S. dealer. The bows, by Eric Grandchamp and Georges Tepho, went on to win numerous gold medals in Violin Society of America competitions.

In 1993, Coppiardi received a scholarship to serve as apprentice to Vahakny Nigogosian, then head of restoration at Oberlin College. He opened his independent workshop, Italiastrings, in 1996.

Coppiardi is the recipient of a "Best Craftsmanship" award from the Violin Society of America, and has crafted a viola for Prince Naruhito of Japan. He masterminded and organized Vernix 2000, a colloquium focusing on varnish and varnish-making technique, and represented the Cremonese violin-making tradition at the Italian Art Festival organized by Japan's Isetan Department Store in 2004. He has spoken at events held by the Longy School of Music, Tufts University, the Cape Cod Chamber Music Society and the Newport Art Museum (RI), and was featured in a November 2007 report by WBUR (NPR Boston).

In addition to the creation of exquisite replicas, Coppiardi serves as the de facto caretaker for the prized Barron Vitta Guarneri, property of the Library of Congress. He also maintains the violins, violas and cellos of members of the internationally acclaimed Borromeo String Quartet, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New England Conservatory of Music, and Italy's I Musici.