Lorenzo Storioni

Lorenzo Storioni (1744-1816) played a pivotal role in preserving Cremona’s violin-making tradition. Born the same year as Guarneri del Gesù’s death, Storioni seems to have felt a personal connection with the master, crafting many instruments inspired by Guarneri’s models. His workshop provided a training ground for Giovanni Battista Ceruti and Giovanni Rota, who helped him revive Baroque violin-making techniques. In 1802, Storioni turned his atelier over to Ceruti and left Cremona for eight years. He seems to have continued making violins, but no instruments made after 1804 are known to survive.

Although Storioni’s work is strongly associated with the Baroque Cremonese masters, he also displayed a bold individuality as a maker. He preferred tilted F holes and large scrolls, and he selected unconventional tonewoods out of necessity after decades of Italian wars. The resulting instruments have found favor among performers for their powerful sound, and Storioni’s double basses are particularly prized.