Violin Maker
Ludovico Zanni
Ludovico Zanni's workshop is Cremona downtown, where he handcrafts stringed instruments according to the tradition of classical violin making craftsmanship. Every instrument is created referring to plaster replicas of the great masters' violins, in an ongoing conversation between the demands of todays musicians and those of the past.
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Short Bio
Full Name: Ludovico Zanni
Highlights
New making style: Antiqued
Credentials
Italian Craftsmanship
Cremonese violin making
Contemporary antiqued style
Varnish researcher
Awards
2022 - Premio Personalità - XIII International Violin Making Competition of the National Italian Violin-making Association - ANLAI
Maker Background
Ludovico Zanni graduated from the I.I.S. Antonio Stradivari in Cremona. Following his studies in violin making, he started working as an assistant at Edgar Russ workshop where he could improved his skills and techniques under Edgar and Min's guidance.After developping his manual skills, he attended the professional course of Lombardy region as technician restorer of cultural heritage.
Being passionate and willing to deepen his mastery in violin making, he has been attending the Oberlin violin maker workshop in Ohio,USA, since 2023 where he has the chance to learn among the best makers in the world.
Ludovico Zanni's workshop is located in Cremona downtown, where he handcrafts stringed instruments.
Maker Interview
Why did you start making instruments?
I like craftsmanship. I found out the beauty of violin making by learning it. Building something tangible fascinates me, together with how this art can mix sound sculpture and alchemy in one craft.
Why your instruments are so special?
My instruments are so special because I carefully select the wood for my instrument and season it to give musicians the most comfortable and personal experience with the fiddle.
Each instrument is unique and is made alongside plaster copies of the violins of the great masters, in a
constant dialogue with the past and the modern needs of musicians.
Varnish plays a fundamental role as well, I dedicate myself to the study of varnish and historical colors to
give my instruments the charm of the old ones.
What is your inspiration?
The violins of the Golden Age and the great copies of my current colleagues are a source of inspiration
for my work.