Caressa & Français Firm

Felix Albert Caressa (1866-1939) and Henri Français (1861-?) met when they were both employed by the Gand & Bernandel workshop in Paris. Français was born into a family steeped in both of Mirecourt’s legendary exports: violins and lace. He apprenticed under Darte before moving to Paris to work for Gand & Bernandel in 1880, and he was made foreman after the death of Charles Eugène Gand in 1892. As a young luthier, Français’ work gained attention with gold medals at the 1897 Brussels Exhibition and the 1900 Paris Exhibition.

Caressa was born in Nice to Florentine parents, and it took him quite some time to find his way to lutherie. He enlisted in the navy as a teenager and traveled the world before moving to Paris. Caressa’s innate business acumen and flair for the dramatic eventually led him to the instrument collecting industry, and Bernardel eventually hired him as a manager for the Gand & Bernardel firm. In 1898, Caressa was promoted to director.

Caressa and Français rose to become junior partners in the firm, and when Gustave Bernardel retired in 1901, they took over the business under the new name of Caressa & Français. Before leaving, Bernandel ensured that his successors would continue in a lucrative and prestigious position as the Luthier du Conservatoire. The pair made a perfect team: Français offered superior craftsmanship, and Caressa handled the business aspect.

Instruments from the Caressa & Français firm reflect the influence of their predecessors, Nicolas Lupot and Gand & Bernardel. Thanks to Caressa’s background in collecting, they also owned and were able to take inspiration from antique instruments by Stradivari, Guarneri, Guadagnini, J.B. Vuillaume, and bows by FX Tourte, and Dominique Peccatte. Caressa & Français quickly found favor with popular soloists, including Pablo de Sarasate, Eugene Ysaÿe, and Jacques Thibaud. They also provided the training ground for many 20th century luthiers, including Gustave Vuillaume, and sold bows crafted by Jules Fétique, Claude Thomassin, and André Richaume.

In 1920, Français retired, and Caressa continued the firm under the name Albert Caressa. He expanded the business into the American market in the late 1930s, but his sudden death in 1939 left Français’ son, Émile, to take over the business under the label Émile Français.