by John and Mara Gullotta
Trenta capolavori dei migliori maestri liutai cremonesi a Sydney, Brisbane e Melbourne
L’Australia si prepara a vivere un evento culturale senza precedenti. Dal 5 luglio al 18 agosto, la prestigiosa mostra “Cremona in Australia 2025” porta per la prima volta l’eccellenza dell’arte liutaria italiana in tre grandi città del continente, con oltre 30 strumenti musicali autentici firmati dal Consorzio Liutai “Antonio Stradivari” Cremona.
Cremona, città natale di Antonio Stradivari, Andrea Amati e Giuseppe Guarneri, continua a essere il centro mondiale della liuteria con oltre 140 botteghe artigiane attive. Oggi, grazie alla partnership tra il Consorzio cremonese e tre importanti rivenditori australiani, i musicisti locali possono finalmente toccare con mano strumenti che normalmente richiederebbero un viaggio in Italia.
“È un privilegio portare questi strumenti straordinari in Australia”, dichiara Douglas Glanville del Sydney String Centre. “Speriamo di ispirare i musicisti australiani e approfondire la loro comprensione della tradizione cremonese.”
La presenza dell’ambasciatrice Giulia Prato aggiunge valore educativo all’evento, offrendo ai visitatori un collegamento diretto con i maestri liutai.
Alla cerimonia di apertura della visita istituzionale a Sydney, presenti due componenti del Direttivo di CNA, il Dott. John Gullotta AM insieme alla moglie Mara e Sebastian Villanova e la moglie Afra Occhioni.
Australia’s classical music scene is enjoying a rare treat this winter as the “Cremona in Australia 2025” exhibition tours Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Running until August 18, this six-week event brings the finest modern Italian string instruments to Australian audiences, marking the first time such a collection has traveled across three major cities.
Presented by the esteemed Consorzio Liutai “Antonio Stradivari” Cremona, the exhibition features more than 30 handcrafted violins, violas, cellos, and bows. Each instrument carries the coveted Cremona Liuteria certification, a guarantee of authentic, masterful craftsmanship rooted in centuries-old tradition.
Cremona, a city in northern Italy’s Lombardy region, is legendary among string musicians as the birthplace of violin-making giants like Antonio Stradivari, Andrea Amati, and Giuseppe Guarneri. Today, Cremona remains a global hub for luthiers, with over 140 workshops and the renowned International School of Violin Making continuing its legacy. The exhibition offers Australian musicians a unique chance to experience instruments that would otherwise require a journey to Italy.
Douglas Glanville, General Manager of The Sydney String Centre, expressed the significance of this event, hoping that direct access to these remarkable instruments will inspire local string players and deepen their appreciation for the Cremonese tradition. The exhibition is a collaborative effort between the Cremona consortium and The Sydney String Centre, Simply for Strings in Brisbane, and Whitehorse Music in Melbourne. This partnership ensures that musicians and enthusiasts across the country can engage with these exceptional instruments.
What sets this exhibition apart is the presence of Cremona Liuteria ambassador Giulia Prato, who offers visitors deep insights into the makers and historical context behind each piece. With prices ranging from $20,000 to $120,000, the instruments cater to professional musicians, collectors, and institutions.
Beyond being a commercial showcase, the exhibition acts as a cultural bridge, connecting musicians with Italy’s living musical heritage. For many, the opportunity to play these instruments is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
