Antonio Stradivari
Antonio Stradivari, (1644-1737). Italian violin-maker. Stradivari was born and died in Cremona, where he was a pupil of the violin-maker Niccolo Amati. Stradivari perfected the design and tone of the violin and his formula .for varnish has never been discovered. He made violas and cellos as well as violins and all his instruments are now extremely valuable. He signed his instruments with the Latinized ‘Stradivarius’.