The violin, which is valued at $3 million, will make its Delaware debut during the sold-out “Xiang Gao and Friends” concert to be held Friday evening, May 18, in Mitchell Hall. It is the closing concert of the 2006-07 season for the acclaimed UD Master Players Chamber Series.
The concert will provide those attending an opportunity to hear one of the world's most prestigious violins, which will be played by Gao with the accompaniment of collaborative pianist Howard Watkins of the Metropolitan Opera.
“Xiang Gao and Friends” has quickly become a UD tradition that brings many of the world's most creative musicians to campus for fiery performances from classical to jazz and beyond.
As a member of the acclaimed China Magpie ensemble under Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Project, Gao will also be joined by Wu Tong, Liu Lin and Hui Li, who performed a sold-out event at UD two years ago as part of the Master Players Chamber Series.
“I am extremely grateful for the generosity of the Stradivari Society and the collector of the instrument. This is a wonderful help for young soloists, and recognition of our University's commitment to the arts,” Gao said.
Gao said the sound of the violin “is so beautiful and powerful that you just have to hear it to believe the incomparable craftsmanship of the legendary master.”
He added, “According to studies, famous Italian violins, including the wonderful UD Ceruti violin, are by far better investments than any stock or real estate to the investors and collectors. What is even better is the brilliant idea of the Stradivari Society loaning these great instruments invested by patrons to soloists who are not able to afford them and to make the instruments available to the public audience, which also helps the instruments to appreciate in price.”
The "Lady Tennant" violin was crafted in 1699 by the master maker Antonio Stradivari (1644-1737). He used the Latin Antonius Stradivarius to personally sign his instruments.
Similar to the other rare violins made by Stradivarius, this instrument is named after its previous owner. It was owned at one time by Philippe Lafont, a world famous violin virtuoso of the early 19th century and a rival of Nicol? Paganini. It was purchased after his death in 1839 by W. E. Hill and Sons, a renowned London violin dealer.
In 1900, Hill sold the violin to Charles Tennant, a Scottish businessman. The violin was a gift for his wife, an amateur violinist. It has since been called "The Lady Tennant."
"This is one of the world's greatest instruments, and Xiang Gao is one the world's greatest young violinists," Suzanne Fushi, president of the Stradivari Society, said.
For those interested in world-class concerts on campus, tickets for the 2007-08 Master Players Chamber Series will be available beginning in early August. Concert dates for the next season are Oct. 5, Nov. 9, Feb. 22 and April 18 and 19.
Gao said the Stradivarius is stored in a secure safe that is under constant camera surveillance.
Article by Neil Thomas
Photo by LoPre.com