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Out of the dark: the 1742 ‘Rovelli’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin

2026-06-19T09:17:00

Rovelli Guarneri

The ‘Rovelli’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin of 1742 was once believed lost – and its rediscovery in 2002 was a heart-pounding moment for the experts. Frédéric Chaudière recalls the compelling story of the instrument’s authentication

 The history of the violin known today as the 1742 ‘Rovelli’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ is a reminder that even the most important instruments can pass through long periods of obscurity, doubt and misunderstanding. Its story also illustrates how essential it is to approach the late work of ‘del Gesù’ with scientific tools and intellectual openness. What follows is both a personal account and a documented study of a violin that moved from near dismissal to full recognition as one of the great late ‘del Gesù’ instruments…

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