Colin Harrison will discuss the collection of stringed instruments in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, presented by the firm of W.E. Hill and Sons between 1939 and 1948. He will make particular reference to the most famous violin in the world, Antonio Stradivari’s Messiah of 1716. It acquired its nickname because an earlier owner was always promising to show it, but never did.
Its fame is due not only to its extraordinarily fine condition, but to its almost unmatched beauty. Indeed, various attempts have been made to discredit it as a fake, which were finally laid to rest following scientific examination
in Cremona in 2016.

Colin Harrison is the Senior Curator of European Art at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

In recognition of invaluable support the Friends of Newbury Spring Festival continue to provide the Festival, every current Friend is entitled to a Free ticket to this talk. Please book a ticket via the Corn Exchange Box Office.