Bach’s Sarabandes, performed on cello and violin, brought to a close a historic day for Cremona: the return of the Politeama Verdi to the city after 57 years. Applauding the initiative promoted by the Stauffer Foundation and the Consortium of Violin Makers were all the associations representing professionals in the violin-making sector—CNA, Confartigianato, ALI and ANLAI—as well as around fifty professional craftsmen specialising in the construction of bowed and plucked string instruments. This, too, was a historic moment, seemingly capable of making years of disputes and divisions disappear, swept away by the enthusiasm surrounding the “new” Home of Cremona Violin Making.

And despite the alterations, sealed-off areas, concrete pours and scaffolding, the Politeama seemed to grasp the importance of the event, surprisingly and almost magically revealing that its acoustics are still perfect for the performance of two Stauffer students: Emma Bertozzi on violin and Gabriele Condiloro on cello. Fine craftsmanship and music marked the beginning of its new life.

By the end of next year, Cremona will have its Home of Violin Making: an extraordinary opportunity to bring together two of the things for which Cremona is world-famous—the making of violins and the presence of an Academy where leading masters train musicians in the performance of string instruments.

Stauffer Foundation President Alessandro Tantardini welcomed guests in front of the stage, while a large rendering covered what remains of the stage, showing what it will look like once the floor and the rear section have been completed in wood. “It is a structure that will foster dialogue with all the violin-making associations, from which we are expecting suggestions, as well as with the Violin Museum. Everything is aimed at reaffirming Cremona’s role as the world capital of violin making,” he said.

The venue will become part of Cremona’s cultural itineraries, linking historic and contemporary violin making, ancient instruments and those created in the city’s workshops. A glimpse of the future role of the Home of Violin Making was already offered by the exhibition held in what was once the auditorium—the “piazza”, as its designer, architect, artist and designer Angelo Micheli called it—featuring instruments made by local luthiers, as well as by the quartet of Pierangelo Balzarini displayed in the theatre foyer.

Regional Councillor Marcello Ventura, welcoming the initiative, recalled that a regional law has been in place since last year to promote Cremona violin making, including through financial support, further strengthening its international dimension with events such as the one scheduled to take place from 13 to 18 December. Ventura also highlighted the importance of the regional law, whose funding could already be increased in the next budget; it currently amounts to €100,000.

It was then the turn of designer Angelo Micheli, joined by architect Corbari, to illustrate the philosophy and criteria behind the intervention. At the top of the list will be the enhancement of the “void, which is worth more than the solid, illuminated by the great dome”, together with the preservation of what remains of the theatre, from the historic stuccoes to the concrete, which he dreams of transforming so that it resembles a silk ribbon.

“This was a place loved by people, and we want people to come back,” he said. The venue will be closely integrated into the city and into the route from the railway station to the Violin Museum. The foyer will become a kind of covered gallery between Via Cesare Battisti and Via Arisi, allowing passers-by to see what is housed inside the Home of Violin Making.

The first tier of boxes will host violin-making exhibitions, while on the top floor, almost touching the great dome from which a unique panorama can be seen, the former gallery will make way for a large library dedicated to violin making and music.

Tomorrow and Sunday, during the FAI Open Days, the people of Cremona will be able to see once again what remains of the Politeama, closed since 1969, breathe in the history contained within its walls, witness how sadly it has been reduced over the years, but also dream of its imminent rebirth.

The old Politeama, rebuilt in 1898, one year after the devastating fire of 1897, was subsequently ravaged and abandoned amid general silence. Now, however, the time has come for its rebirth, thanks to the Stauffer Foundation, violin making and a dream that we have finally begun to see and touch with our own hands.

Photo report by Francesco Sessa Ventura.