Marino Capicchioni (1895–1977): A Master Violin Maker of Rimini
Marino Capicchioni was an Italian luthier known for his craftsmanship and innovative approach to violin making. Born in Santa Mustiola, in the Republic of San Marino, Capicchioni was the second of seven children to Virginia Cecchetti and Bernardo Capicchioni, a carpenter. He grew up in a woodworking environment, assisting his father, and later became interested in repairing stringed instruments, eventually crafting his first violin at the age of 24. This marked the beginning of his career as a violin maker.
In 1929, Capicchioni opened his workshop in Rimini, Italy. Although largely self-taught, his work quickly gained attention for its quality. He won gold medals at the Padua exhibition in 1931 and the Rome exhibition in 1937, and received an honorable mention at the Stradivari Bicentenary competition in Cremona.
Capicchioni’s work evolved over time, initially influenced by Stradivari and Guarneri del Gesù, but later reflecting his own style. His “golden period” in the 1940s saw the development of violins with high archings and varnishes ranging from yellowish-orange to brownish-red. In the mid-1940s, his son Mario Capicchioni joined him in the workshop, continuing the work after Marino’s death in 1977.
Capicchioni’s instruments were played by musicians like Yehudi Menuhin, Salvatore Accardo, and the Oistrakh brothers. In recognition of his contributions to violin making, the Republic of San Marino dedicated a square and erected a monument in his honor.
