Maker's Name: Marcelo Villa

Place of Birth: Monza, Italy   

Date of Birth: 1965

Workshop location: Cremona

Education: Graduated Cremona School, 1983

Mr. Musafia's note: Few makers in Cremona have achieved so much in so little time.  Marcello has established a world-wide reputation by producing instruments of very fine workmanship at a great value.  For years, Marcello constructed instruments in the workshop of Maestro Conia, and there obviously picked up many things.  Marcello has made numerous inlayed copies and continues to make violins, violas, and cellos in both antiqued and "new" finishes.  In Exhibition 2001 Marcello provided us with a quartet of instruments -- a remarkable (and appreciated) addition to the Exhibition.  Marcello works with his brother, Vittorio.

Curriculum Vitae: Marcello Villa was born in Monza on the 21st March 1965, presently living and working in Cremona. He began studying the violin when he was twelve later enrolling in the International School of Violinmaking in Cremona. He obtained his diploma in 1983 under the guidance of masters Giorgio Scolari and Stefano Conia. He obtained the highest possible results in his final year receiving a scholarship of special merits from the Waiter Stauffer Foundation. Working in the prestigious atelier of Stefano Conia he was able to broaden his own experience and he began to participate in his first competitions receiving his first awards. Marcello Villa has been awarded the following prizes: finalist in Poznan (1986); gold medal at the Bagnacavallo Young Violinmaker's competiton (1986); gold medal at the Baveno competition (1987); gold medal for the quartet presented in the Basnacavallo Violinmaking Exposition (1990; silver medal at the 6th Violinmaking Triennal in Cremona (1991) and lastly two sold medals for violin and cello in the Bagnacavallo Exposition in 1992. Marcello Villa makes violins, violas and cellos, particularly favouring Stradivarian models. He also makes a considerable amount of Baroque instruments and most of all copies of the decorated Stradivarian instruments such as Heiler and Greffuhle. (C.V. provided by the maker).