Marino Capicchioni was born in Santa Mustiola in Republic of San Marino in 1895.
At the very beginning of his career, he worked as an assistant for a carpenter in his neighborhood. At the age of 19, he moved to France to work in a guitar-making atelier, but one year later, he returned to his homeland to engage himself in violin-making. It was at the age of 24 that he completed his very first violin.
From 1929, he resided in Rimini. In and after 1932, he participated in many exhibitions and competitions all over Italy, and it was not long before his talent was recognized and applauded. His artwork was awarded the gold medals in competitions in Cremona, Rome, Padova and Forli. With its elegant structure and excellent sound quality, his artwork has been highly evaluated since when he was alive by important musicians like Franco Rossi of Quartet Italiano, Pina Carmirelli and Salvatore Accardo. In the mid 1940s, Marino began to work with his son, Mario, who shared his business until Marino’s death in 1977 and then succeeded to it.
Instruments made by Capicchioni have been possessed and loved by celebrated musicians so far; violins by Yuhudi Menuhin, David Oistrakh and Igor Oistrakh, and a cello by Mstislav Rostropovich.
In his homeland, Republic of San Marino, a square of his name was established in the honor of Mariono Capicchioni where a monument was built by a sculptor, Marina Busignani Reffi. Besides, a set of his quartet instruments is included in the permanent exhibition in Stradivari Museum in Cremona.
This cello was made in 1960, so-called his golden period. On the deep golden yellow foundation, it is clad in transparent vivid red varnish. Its modeling, which shows the outstanding level of skills, and its graceful shading produce a dignified style.
Its sound feels gorgeous body when it fills a hall, and it provides quick responses to a performer’s demands and delicate shades of sound, all of which combined to make the very masterpiece.