Casa Monzino was founded around 1750 by Antonio Monzino, Contrada della Dogana all’insegna della Sirena, nella casa 4037.
In that workshop of ideas and studies applied on the production of fine craftsmanship musical instruments, took shape one of the most important collections of stringed and bow instruments wisely collected by whom – through a deep knowledge of his profession – could recognise arts in the simple but expert hands of some accomplished craftsman.
This collection enhanced by his homogeneity describes, in an exhaustive way, a long organological path, showing many types of instruments made by the luthiers, some of which had a significant importance in the history of instrument making from 1700 to 1900.
Among these significant Masters, we mention Guadagnini brothers, Riccardo and Romeo Antoniazzi brothers, Ambrogio Sironi, Paolo De Barbieri, Severino Riva, Gennaro Marino, Innocente Rottola, Gennaro Fabbricatore, Giovanni Battista Fabbricatore, Erminio Farina, Luigi Galimberti, Luigi Baioni and Carlo Antonio Testore.
Many instruments manufactured between the end of XVII century and nowadays, are part of the Monzino’s Collection. Among these ancient instruments there is a certain number of guitars including one made by an anonymous Italian manufacturer datable at the end of XVII century and a Violin with an inside label marked “Carlo Antonio Testore del fu Carlo Giuseppe in contrada larga al segno dell’Aquila Milano 1759”.
Of the above-mentioned instruments, 79 had been donated to the Municipal Museum of Musical Instruments of the Sforza Castle in Milan in 2000 with the aim of providing to the community the important experience, competence and culture acquired through more than two hundred years of history in the manufacturing of fine craftsmanship musical instruments.
Each musician has the desire to meet his ideal instrument. For that reason, some worthy instruments of the private collection are solely loaned to deserving musicians to enhance their talent and promote music.
