Pietro Mantegazza Viola,

Milano 1791,   40.8cm | 16" 

The name Pietro Giovanni Mantegazza may not be as well known as Stradivari, but it makes violists sit up and take notice: As only a few violas were made in the 'Golden Age of Cremona', there must have been a great demand for good violas around 1800 - apparently Pietro Giovanni discovered this gap in the market for himself and made instruments that are highly sought after by professional violists today. They have a body length of 40.8 to 41 cm and a vibrating string length of approx. 37.5 cm, which many violists today consider to be the ideal size. In addition, the design is very appealing, and with its rather flat arching, this instrument is able to produce a sonorous yet powerful and projecting sound.

This viola is a copy of an instrument from 1791.