Franco Albanelli (25 August 1933 – 1 July 2007) was an Italian luthier, a pupil of

Gaetano Pollastri Gaetano Pollastri (1886–1960) was a professional violinist but after the first world war he devoted himself to violin making. He worked with the same company as his brother in via Castiglione, that was devoted to the construction, repair and co ...

, who was born in Castel San Pietro Terme, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. His workmanship has always shown a clear inspiration to his teacher Pollastri style and his musical instruments are now all around the world. He made not more than 40 instruments, primarily violins, but included a few

viola The viola ( , also , ) is a string instrument that is bow (music), bowed, plucked, or played with varying techniques. Slightly larger than a violin, it has a lower and deeper sound. Since the 18th century, it has been the middle or alto voice of ...

s and violincellos. He primarily produced instruments with a red and orange

varnish Varnish is a clear transparent hard protective coating or film. It is not a stain. It usually has a yellowish shade from the manufacturing process and materials used, but it may also be pigmented as desired, and is sold commercially in various ...

. He died in San Lazzaro di Savena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

References

* ''Il Suono di Bologna, Da Raffaele Fiorini ai grandi maestri del Novecento". Catalogo della Mostra nella chiesa di San Giorgio in Poggiale'', Bologna 2002. * Eric Blot, ''Un secolo di Liuteria Italiana 1860-1960 - A century of Italian Violin Making - Emilia e Romagna I'', Cremona 1994. * Dictionary of 20th Century Italian Violin Makers -

Marlin Brinser Marlins are fish from the family Istiophoridae, which includes about 10 species. A marlin has an elongated body, a spear-like snout or bill, and a long, rigid dorsal fin which extends forward to form a crest. Its common name is thought to deri ...

1978 * The Strad January 1984 Bologna - A living tradition of Violin Making * 1933 births 2007 deaths People from Castel San Pietro Terme Italian luthiers 20th-century Italian musicians {{Italy-musician-stub