Enrico Marchetti has been said to be one of the most excellent violin makers in Turin of the 20th century.
Born in Milan in 1855, Marchetti moved to Turin in 1874 to learn the basic techniques to make violins in Benedetto Gioffredo ‘Rinaldi’’s atelier, after which he became an apprentice in Antonio Guadagnini’s shop and established his own atelier in 1881. In those days, he acquired some medals in violin making competitions.
He moved between Turin and Cuorgne, a town in Piemonte, for twenty years. In 1912 he moved to Turin and settled down there for steady violin making until he passed away in 1930. For those last several years of his life, supported by an excellent assistant called Anselmo Curletto, Marchetti trained his son, Edoardo, while making many excellent pieces of artwork.
This violin, made in 1922, was made of the top-ranked slab cut wood, showing an organic flow of the powerful feeling arch, which explains Marchetti’s characteristics. Its sound has dense powerful volume. A masterpiece very practical in a large hall.