Gaetano Antionazzi

1825 – 1897

 

Gaetano Antoniazzi was born in Cremona in 1825. He studied with the Ceruti family under Enrico and Giovanni Battista Ceruti, adopting the Cremonese tradition of violin making. In 1870 he settled in Milan, where his family ultimately became responsible for transferring Cremonese techniques into the Milanese tradition.

Gaetano’s sons Riccardo and Romeo Antoniazzi followed in his footsteps, going on to become influential luthiers in their own rights. Riccardo Antoniazzi met Leandro Bisiach towards the end of the 19th century, and together they founded the Bisiach workshop. The business model they established became the standard for training and practice in Italian violin making. Gaetano worked as an assistant to Leandro in his final years.

Antoniazzi’s workmanship is refined and bold, and his impact on Italian violin making remains profound.