Venetian school, 1659–1742
Matteo Goffriller
Founder of the Venetian school. Teacher of Montagnana. Built cellos that are still on stage three centuries later.
The man who started the Venetian school
Matteo Goffriller was born in Tyrol but found his calling in Venice, where he became the first maker to build cellos there in serious numbers. His instruments have a vocal quality soloists still chase after. Pablo Casals played a Goffriller for his entire career. Need we say more?
Wynand and the restorer
"The man who brought my Goffriller back to life lives above a bookshop in Cremona. He told me he found the original label tucked between the top plate and the lining, in a corner nobody had bothered with for three hundred years."
Wynand
Every year Wynand drives the cello back to Cremona for its check-up. He calls it "the shortest trip with the longest waiting list."
Tonal character
Goffrillers are loved for their round, singing tone and a projection that fills a hall without ever turning sharp. This is an instrument for music that breathes. Baroque, romantic chamber music, songs without words.
