Domenico Montagnana

Domenico Montagnana (June 1686, Lendinara — March 1750, Venice) was a prominent Italian luthier and one of the crucial exponents of the "Venetian school" of instrument-making, particularly cherished for his cellos. Montagnana settled in Venice around 1699-1701. Whereas some earlier biographers suggested that Domenico apprenticed with Matteo Goffriller, most researchers today agreed that he likely learned luthiery at the workshop of Matteo Sellas; this German luthier prospered in Venice and employed many talented local masters, such as Pietro Guarneri II and Carlo Tononi. Around 1711, Domenico Montagnana opened his workshop. His earlier builds indicated Jacobus Stainer's influence, which was akin to the industry standard of the period, but eventually, Montagnana began making broader cellos with flatter archings. This pattern served as an inspiration for Guadagnini's instruments built in the 1740s. Montagnana had six daughters, who decided to continue running their father's workshop and employed Giorgio (Zorzo) Seraphin, the nephew of renowned luthier Sanctus Seraphin, to build the instruments under Montagnana's label for over 17 years after their father's death. Notable contemporary musicians who played Montagnanas include: Cellists ♬ Yo-Yo Ma owns 1733 "Petunia" cello ♬ Raphael Wallfisch plays 1733 "ex-Romberg" on loan ♬ Harriet Krijgh plays 1723 "Esquire" cello ♬ Emanuel Feuermann had played 1735 "Feuermann" cello ♬ Nathaniel Rosen owns 1738 "Ex-Servais" — previously known as 'Mighty Venetian' when played by Adrien-François Servais ♬ Stephen Kates played 1739 "Kates-Hancock" until 2003 ♬ Heinrich Schiff owned 1739 "Sleeping Beauty" ♬ Guilhermina Suggia owned the 1710 cello ♬ Lynn Harrell ♬ Mischa Maisky ♬ Truls Mørk ♬ Alfred Wallenstein ♬ Steven Isserlis ♬ Paul Watkins (3) ♬ Maurice Eisenberg ♬ Daniel Saidenberg ♬ Orlando Cole ♬ Sevak Avanesyan ♬ Boris Andrianov ♬ Ralph Kirshbaum ♬ István Várdai Violinists ♬ Virgil Boutellis-Taft & Régis Pasquier had played the 1742 violin ♬ Joseph Roisman Viola players ♬ Lionel Tertis