The Giovanni Arvedi Auditorium of the Museo del Violino in Cremona hosted the presentation of The Voice of Stradivari, the new CD dedicated to the 1700 Stauffer ex Cristiani cello, one of the most precious masterpieces crafted by Antonio Stradivari. The event, promoted by MV Cremona, the Museo del Violino and the Walter Stauffer Foundation, celebrated the return of the instrument—fresh from extraordinary maintenance—to the city where it was born over three centuries ago, symbolically bringing it back to the heart of its own history.

The cello carries with it a dual legacy, as recalled by Riccardo Angeloni, curator of the Museum’s Collections: “The Stauffer ex Cristiani encompasses two names and two eras of its history: Lisa Cristiani, a pioneering female musician of the nineteenth century, and Walter Stauffer, who instead represents a more recent season of patronage.” A layering of meanings that continues to bestow upon the instrument an exceptional artistic and symbolic value.

Giovanni Gnocchi and Alessandro Stella, the featured performers of the CD, recounted the genesis of the recording project. Gnocchi highlighted how the album is interwoven with relationships and historical connections: “These pieces tell stories, friendships between composers and performers: I’m thinking of the bond between Mendelssohn and Lisa Cristiani, or that with Jérôme Ducros. Every page is born of an encounter, and playing this instrument means bringing those connections back to life.” Mendelssohn’s Lied ohne Worte op. 109, recorded on the very same instrument that belonged to the young cellist for whom it was written, is the most emblematic example.

For Alessandro Stella, the album also holds special significance in today’s recording landscape: “A project like this enhances the very meaning of recording, in an era in which thousands of tracks enter the music market every day. It was a synergistic effort from every point of view: technical, sonic, musical, and even photographic. We shared a single, unified vision.”

The project fits within the long-term vision of Marcello Villa, luthier and producer of the MV Cremona label, who noted how artisanal research and sound research progress surprisingly close to each other: “Lutherie and the recording world are not so different: the pursuit of timbre, stimuli, and a common aesthetic converge. Since 1999 I have also worked in recording, with the creation of my label. I wanted to give the city a recorded voice that would highlight its precious instruments and the musicians connected to it.”

During the event, Gnocchi and Stella spoke with Virginia Villa, Marcello Villa, Alessandro Tantardini and Riccardo Angeloni, moderated by Lorenzo Ottaviani of Quinte Parallele magazine. At the conclusion of the presentation, the audience enjoyed a live musical moment— a rare occasion to hear the authentic voice of the Stradivari.

The program included three emblematic pieces, chosen to showcase as many facets of the cello: Mendelssohn’s Lied ohne Worte op. 109 and Skrjabin’s Poème—two works imbued with lyricism, delicacy, and singing intensity—followed by Une Larme, a brilliant Rossini piece performed by Gnocchi with freshness and technical assurance, bringing out the virtuosity of the variations and the theatrical character of the work. A finale that allowed listeners to appreciate the full versatility of the Stradivari, from its most intimate voice to its brightest clarity.

Thus the Stauffer ex Cristiani continues its story: an instrument that travels through the centuries thanks to the hands that preserve it and the hands that return its voice, renewing its wonder each time.