ACO INSTRUMENT FUND 1714 GUARNERI FILIUS ANDREAE In a story where art, philanthropy and finance meet, the Australian Chamber Orchestra unveils today the latest addition to its collection of spectacularly fine instruments, an extremely rare and historically significant violin. The violin was made by Joseph Guarneri filius Andreae in 1714, and purchased for US$1.35 million by the ACO for the ACO Instrument Fund. Experts agree that it is likely Joseph Guarneri’s son, del Gesù, the maker of ACO Artistic Director Richard Tognetti’s US$15 million violin, also had a hand in its making. Some of the world's most famous violinists, including Heifetz, Paganini, and Menuhin have favoured Guarneris. The Fund’s first acquisition was Australia’s only Stradivarius violin, secured in 2011 for US$1.75m, and revalued in 2014 at US$2.75m The Guarneris were a distinguished family of luthiers from Cremona in Italy in the 17th and 18th centuries, whose standing is considered comparable to that of the Amati and Stradivari families. This violin, previously owned by Isolde Menges, a renowned English violinist and pedagogue in the early 20th century, comes with an impeccable provenance. Only about 250 of Joseph Guarneri’s violins still survive. This exceptional violin will be played by an exceptional talent, the ACO’s Rebecca Chan. Chan finished school in rural Victoria when she was fourteen, and completed degrees in Medicine and Arts at the University of Melbourne, but her heart always yearned for a musical life. She left behind plans to practise as a doctor, returned to musical studies, and became a soloist with many of Australia’s major orchestras. In 2008, Chan became an ACO Emerging Artist, and in 2010, joined the ACO as a core member. Chan says “This 1714 Guarneri violin has many of the typical characteristics which we have come to expect from this legendary luthier. It has a dark, rich tone, like an alto voice, yet it is capable of great sweetness. Although it’s a very powerful violin, it can also spin the most delicate and intimate pianissimos.” The Guarneri will have its public debut during the ACO’s Mahler 4 & Sibelius 6 concerts across Australia from 16 th to 29 th June. Chan has spent the past few months getting to know the Guarneri and has promised a few surprises so audiences can hear what this remarkable instrument is capable of. About Joseph Guarneri filius Andreae Joseph Guarneri, (1666-1739) trained as a violin maker and violinist, and is considered to be among the great luthiers, producing instruments which are beautiful, and which exhibit a unique blend of tonal excellence, design, and accuracy of workmanship. Later, he was assisted by his sons, Pietro Guarneri and Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù, and these instruments, built by father and sons, are often considered superior to his earlier instruments. Rebecca Chan c. Jack Salltmiras