Gasparo da Salò facts for kids
Gasparo da Salò, whose real name was Gasparo Bertolotti (born May 20, 1542 – died April 14, 1609), was one of the very first violin makers. He was also a skilled double bass player. About 80 of his musical instruments still exist today. These include violins, violas, viols, violones, and double basses. He even made violas with only two corners, and instruments called ceteras.
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Contents
Early Life and Family
Gasparo da Salò was born in 1542 in a town called Salò in Italy. His family was interested in law, art, music, and crafts. His grandfather, Santino, moved to Salò, which was a lively music center.
Gasparo's father, Francesco, and his uncle, Agostino, were talented musicians. They were both violin players and composers. His uncle Agostino was also the first music director (Kapellmeister) in Salò. Gasparo's cousin, Bernardino, was a great musician too. He played the violin and trombone. Bernardino worked for important music courts in Ferrara and Mantua. He even worked in Rome for the Pope.
Gasparo learned about music from his family. Many musicians from Salò and Brescia, where he grew up, played in famous places. This included the Basilica of St. Mark in Venice. A document from 1604 shows that Gasparo was a very skilled violone player.
Moving to Brescia and Building a Business
Around 1562, after his father passed away, Gasparo moved to Brescia. He quickly rented a house and opened a shop. His shop was in a neighborhood famous for instrument makers. This area was known for a family who built organs and other instruments.
Gasparo's business was successful. He was able to marry Isabetta Cassetti three years later. She was the daughter of a potter and glassmaker. Gasparo also became good friends with Girolamo Virchi, a famous artist and craftsman. Virchi was even the godfather to Gasparo's first child, Francesco. Gasparo and Isabetta had seven children in total.
Gasparo's workshop became one of the most important in Europe. He made all kinds of stringed instruments. He improved the sound and design of these instruments.
Teaching and Exporting Instruments
Gasparo da Salò taught five students how to make violins and other string instruments. His oldest son, Francisco, was one of them. Another famous student was Giovanni Paolo Maggini.
Gasparo's instruments were sold to places like Rome, Venice, and France. He bought special wood and strings from these cities. His successful business allowed him to buy a lot of land. He also helped his sister and took care of his wife's nephews.
Gasparo da Salò passed away on April 14, 1609. He was buried in a church in Brescia.
His Artistic Legacy
It's debated who first made the modern violin. But Gasparo da Salò certainly created instruments with a powerful sound. It's thought that instrument makers like Gasparo made louder instruments. This was so they could be heard when playing with loud instruments like trombones. They often played in open places like St. Mark's Square in Venice.
Stradivari, another famous violin maker, later studied Gasparo da Salò's designs. Many people believe that instruments from Brescia were the most popular in Europe during the Renaissance. They were more sought after than instruments from Cremona until 1630. After a plague killed many Brescian masters, Cremona became the main center for violin making.
Even though the Brescian masters died, their instruments survived. Many Brescian string instruments were beautifully decorated. They are known for their lovely tone and strong sound.
Gasparo da Salò made many violins that are similar in size to modern ones. He also made smaller violins. Besides violins, he built violas of different sizes, from small to very large. He made both alto and tenor violas. He also built cellos, violones, and possibly lyres.
Gasparo da Salò was called "maestro di violini" (violin master) as early as 1568. This title was for instrument makers, not just players. He was also called "maker of musical instruments." This showed he was skilled at building all kinds of instruments.
About eighty of Gasparo da Salò's instruments still exist today. They are considered among the best ever made. They have amazing sound qualities. Modern instrument makers often copy Gasparo da Salò's designs. Even famous makers like Guarneri del Gesu copied his techniques.
Famous Instruments and Players
Great musicians have always recognized the quality of Gasparo da Salò's instruments. In 1842, the famous Norwegian musician Ole Bull received a beautifully decorated da Salò violin. This violin was made in 1562. It is now on display in a museum in Bergen, Norway.
One of his best instruments is a double bass that plays as fast as a violin. It is kept in the Basilica of San Marco in Venice. Another rare double bass by Gasparo is in the Museum of Musical Instruments in Rome. A third one is in the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada. A fourth is displayed in Salò, his hometown. This bass is used in concerts at the annual Gasparo da Salò Summer Festival. Also, one of his violins is shown at the Lobkowicz Palace in Prague.
Because they are so rare, only five of Gasparo da Salò's instruments have been sold at auction since 1893. In 2010, a viola made by him was sold for $542,500.
Many talented violists play instruments made by Gasparo da Salò. These include Gérard Caussé, Jennifer Stumm, James Dunham, Amihai Grosz, and Cynthia Phelps.
Sources
- Anton Maria Mucchi, Gasparo da Salò. Hoepli, Milano, 1940
- Farga, Franz, Violins & Violinists. Trans. Egon Larson with Bruno Raikin. New York: Frederick A. Prager, 1969.
- Andrews, Robert, Gasparo Bertolotti da Salo. Berkley 1953.
- Dassenno, Flavio - Ravasio, Ugo Gasparo da Salò e la liuteria bresciana tra rinascimento e barocco . Brescia 1990.
- Dassenno, Flavio Per gli occhi e 'l core. Strumenti musicali nell'arte. Cortefranca, 2004.
- Dassenno, Flavio (a cura di) "Gasparo architetto del suono", Città di Salò, 2009.
See also
In Spanish: Gasparo da Salò para niños
