An exhibition in Vercelli celebrates Viotti on the bicentenary of his death. Also on display are 12 of his Stradivarius

The year 2024 will mark the bicentenary of the death of the Vercelli musician Giovanni Battista Viotti (Fontanetto Po, 1755 - London, 1824), composer, violinist, musician celebrated in major European courts, admired by Mozart, Haydn and Brahms, and inventor of the modern bow. To mark the occasion, Fondazione Viotti and its founding members have created an exhibition that can be visited from April 13 until June 2, 2024, dedicated to their most illustrious fellow citizen entitled VIOTTI AND STRADIVARI. The Quest for Perfection. It is an immersive, multimedia exhibition, the first ever dedicated to the artist. The exhibition, conceived and curated by violinist and Viotti scholar Guido Rimonda, set up at the Arca exhibition center in Vercelli.

The exhibition is articulated on multiple registers, such as a narrative multimedia experience (dialogues, dramatized monologues, narrative voice, videos, music, immersive and interactive experiences lead the visitor on a journey between beauty and knowledge; the violin vault (some of the precious instruments that belonged to Viotti, including a Stradivarius, will be on display); the violinmaker’s workshop a workshop will be reconstructed in the Pettenati Chapel attached to the church of San Marco with the presence of luthiers and bow-makers for the duration of the exhibition. All in an immersive, hi-tech set-up created by Heritage.

Risotto Viotti, prepared by executive chef Eugenio Moreni with ingredients related to the Vercelli and French territory, will also be presented for the occasion. It will be presented during the Gala on March 3, 2024, followed by a solemn mass in St. Eusebius Cathedral, accompanied by Mozart’s music. During the exhibition, the Civic Theater will host the XXVI Viotti Festival, with concerts by international soloists and the Goldmund Quartet, which will play Stradivari instruments that belonged to Paganini. The artists will perform works by Viotti, a very rare event in the concert world. Side events such as theater performances, historical re-enactments and workshops will also be organized. A great lover of the instruments made by Antonio Stradivari, Viotti was also the main architect of the myth of this famous luthier, now known worldwide. He came to own as many as 12 of them, and a valuable selection can be admired at this exhibition (some are on display for the first time in Italy). One little-known aspect is Viotti’s contribution to the creation of the Marseillaise, the French national anthem. Officially written in 1792 by Rouget de Lisle, the Marseillaise was actually taken (for the musical part only) from a theme with variations by Viotti dated 1781 and rediscovered by Guido Rimonda, music director of the Viotti Festival and a great Viotti expert.

“The exhibition is the first tribute to two great composers who have brought honor to Italy all over the world,” comments Guido Rimonda. “One, Stradivari, already well-known and celebrated, the other, Viotti, in the midst of rediscovery and deserving of every attention. If we think that a century ago the name of Antonio Vivaldi was virtually unknown, then Viotti may soon be a new Vivaldi.”

“Immersive multimedia installations, large screens, wall projections, animations and interactive experiences, sound effects, light games and high-definition music reproductions. Everything is designed and developed to make visitors experience knowledge and beauty and engage them in the significance of a personal story that helped change the history of music,” adds Elisabetta Bruno, founder and administrator of Heritage.

The visitor experience is designed as an event, so reservation slots will be provided to avoid queues and overcrowding and ensure a good enjoyment of the exhibition. Full details at https://viottistradivari.it starting March 4.

Hours: April 13 to May 5, daily from 10 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 7 pm.
May 6 to June 2, Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

An exhibition in Vercelli celebrates Viotti on the bicentenary of his death. Also on display are 12 of his Stradivarius

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