Massimo Ardoli attended the International School of Violin Making “Antonio Stradivari” in Cremona where he graduated in 1982 under the guidance of Maestro Gio Batta Morassi. After school, he worked for some years in Maestro Giorgio Scolari’s workshop where he completed his professional training acquiring major skills in restoration of antique instruments and repairing sectors while continuing the construction of new instruments. In 1989, he opened his own workshop. He makes violins, violas, cellos and double bass but also reproduces and restores stringed and “pizzico” baroque instruments. His production is inspired by the great “Cremonese” masters of the past like Stradivari - Guarneri - Amati as well as modern and contemporary violin makers. His varnish, which is produced in his own laboratory, is a brilliant and transparent yellow-gold-brown with a red undercoat. Since 1996, he has been a teacher of construction and varnish techniques at the International School of Lutherie in Cremona. He has taken part and distinguished himself in various exhibitions and competitions. His instruments are internationally recognised and appreciated because of their shape but also because of their warm, clean and powerful sound. Since 2010 he has moved to a new workshop in the heart of Cremona, in via Trecchi, where he works with the precious help of skillful assistants. He has been a member of the jury in various violin making competitions like Pisogne-Guadagnini.
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