José Vázquez and Roland Houël in an exhalted state after examining all of the interior of the Gasparo da Salo tenor viola da gamba in the house of Claudine Salomon-Moutot, Thoiry, France.
An extremely rare example of a tenor viola da gamba by one of the most illustrious figures in violin making of all ages, Gasparo da Salò (1542-1609), founder of the Brescia School and teacher of Giovanni Paolo Maggini (see Nr. 99). The body of this instrument is almost intact, containing all of the interior bracings and the transverse bars of the belly. The neck and head are recent additions, which will be replaced as soon as the instrument is given over to restoration.
The acquisition of this highly important viola da gamba, a sensational event for the collection, was made possible only by the generous contributions of several friends and supporters of Orpheon: Jürg Merki, Angelika Thomas, Peter and Susanne Bosshard, Ruth Feller and others. Tenor viols are excedingly rare, almost never coming up for sale anywhere. It is for this reason that Orpheon wishes to expressly thank these patrons for their spontaneaous offer of financial assistance toward this purchase. Without their help, this instrument may never have been heard again on any concert stage; with their help, this instrument will remain in the hands of performers for a very long time to come.
