Ferdinando Garimberti

Ferdinando Garimberti (6 Jan 1894—26 Mar 1982) was an Italian luthier, widely regarded as one of the country's leading violin-makers in the XX century. Born in Parma province, Garimberti moved to Milan in 1902. He worked as a blacksmith, like his father, and then operated a hotel with his wife. Ferdinando received initial training from Romeo Antoniazzi, who used to stay at Garimberti's hotel. He then further apprenticed with Romeo's older brother, Riccardo Antoniazzi, before employed by Leandro Bisiach, one of Milan's leading instrument-makers. After the war, when Garimberti served in Turin, he returned to Milan and further assisted Giuseppe Pedrazzini at Bisiach's workshop. In 1920, Garimberti established his independent atelier in Milan. He won several prestigious luthiery prizes over the next few decades: first medals in Rome in 1927 and 1931, three different awards in Cremona in 1937, and another medal in '49. Throughout this "golden" period, Garimberti became one of the leading violin-makers in the region. From 1963 till '66, he taught at the International Violin Making School in Cremona.