Leandro Bisiach (1864–1945): Master Luthier and Leader of the Milanese Violin Revival
Leandro Bisiach was a distinguished Italian luthier who played a key role in the revival of Italian violin making in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born on June 16, 1864, in Casale Monferrato, Italy, he initially trained as a violinist before turning to instrument making. His first violin, crafted independently, received great praise, inspiring him to pursue lutherie professionally.
In 1886, Bisiach moved to Milan to apprentice with members of the Antoniazzi family. This period was instrumental in shaping his craft and laid the foundation for the modern Milanese school of violin making. By 1890, he established his own workshop, which quickly became one of Italy’s most important violin-making centers.
Bisiach was not only a highly skilled craftsman but also an innovator in instrument restoration and reconstruction. He restored historically significant pieces, including a 16th-century violetta by Zuan Maria della Corna, and created new instruments tailored for renowned composers. One of his notable commissions was a viola d’amore for Giacomo Puccini, used in the premiere of Madama Butterfly. He also built a five-string viola pomposa d’amore for Riccardo Zandonai and a zither for Arrigo Boito’s opera Nerone, which is now preserved at the Museo del Teatro alla Scala in Milan.
Throughout his career, Bisiach earned international recognition, receiving awards at major exhibitions in London (1895), Turin (1898), Paris (1900), Milan (1906), and Brussels (1910). His work was widely respected, and his instruments remain sought after by musicians and collectors today.
A key part of Bisiach’s legacy was his role as a mentor and workshop leader, training the next generation of Italian luthiers. His workshop became a learning hub for renowned violin makers, including Gaetano Sgarabotto, Giuseppe Ornati, Ferdinando Garimberti, and Igino Sderci, as well as his own sons—Andrea, Carlo, Giacomo, and Leandro Jr.—who carried on the family tradition.
In 1900, Bisiach acquired a villa in Venegono Superiore, Varese, which became his residence and later, in 1925, the base for his operations. He continued his work there until his passing on December 1, 1945. His sons Giacomo and Leandro Jr. kept the workshop active until 1973, ensuring the family’s influence on violin making endured.
Leandro Bisiach is remembered as both a master craftsman and a visionary entrepreneur who revitalized Italian violin making. His instruments and teachings remain a cornerstone of 20th-century Italian lutherie, bridging tradition with innovation.
