Marcello Villa

Marcello Villa was born in Monza, Italy in 1965. He began to study the violin at the age of 12 and later enrolled in the International School of Violin Making in Cremona. Villa apprenticed with esteemed maker Stefano Conia. After graduating in 1983, Villa’s instruments became highly appreciated in many competitions, where his work was recognized with many awards, 15 of which were gold medals.

He has made many violins, violas, and cellos inspired by the models of Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati. Along with his use of the finest woods and materials, Villa incorporates his knowledge of music to perfect the sound of his instruments. One of his violins has been on display at the Museum of the International School of Violin Making in Cremona since 1983.

In 1999, Villa founded the recording label MV Cremona which is committed to promoting previously unpublished Italian music. He has collaborated with several specialized magazines, publiching his research on areas of musical peformance and craftsmanship. He co-wrote a film about the process of reconstruction of an inlaid violin that now shows at the Museo del Violino in Cremona. In 2016, Villa was recognized with a Masters of Arts and Crafts award and was listed in the “golden book” of Italian Masters.