Matteo Goffriller

Matteo Goffriller (also Gofriller or Goffriler; * 1659 in Brixen, † 1742 in Venice) was a Venetian luthier, who first became famous for the outstanding quality of his cellos after a long oblivion.

How to only relatively short time that was Goffriller in Brixen / Bressanone, South Tyrol, Italy today, was born. About his early years to 1685 is not known. From at least 1685 onwards he remained until his death in 1742 in Venice. It is possible that he first learned his craft at Matthias Alban in Bolzano, and later resident at the Venice, originating from Füssen champion Martin Kaiser. However, his works only in the earliest stages of German influences, but later such a deep familiarity with the Italian violin-making that take many analysts Goffriller have worked in the workshops of Carlo Bergonzi and Antonio Stradivari, before he started his own business. Anyway Goffriller married in 1686 a daughter of the emperor, so that was a Venetian citizen and took over in 1690 Emperor workshop. The couple had twelve children.

Goffriller continued the business of his father- apparently with success on and is seen today along with Domenico Montagnana as a leading exponent of the Venetian school of violin making. It is believed that Montagnana was his pupil. Francesco Goffriller whose instruments are very rare, long time for Matteo's brother was held, but it could have been his son, and also his student. Since 1720 there are increasingly less evidence about work and life Matteo Goffrillers.

Throughout history, his instruments were often mistakenly attributed to other Italian violin makers, in particular the Guarneri family, Carlo Bergonzi and Antonio Stradivari.

Ever since Pablo Casals most of his life as an artist ( from 1913 until his death in 1973 ) played a cello made by Goffriller as his main concert instrument, Goffriller was perceived in the wider community of the 20th century as one of the greatest in his profession again - an assessment which today might extend to his violins.

Users of its instruments

Among the musicians of the past who played Goffriller instruments, the violinist Edouard Lalo, Camillo Sivori and Niccolò Paganini, violist Walter Trampler, and (along with Pablo Casals ) the cellist Emanuel fire man, Janos Starker, Pierre Fournier, Jacqueline du Pré were ( cello by Francesco Goffriller ), Leonard Rose. Among the musicians in the presence or Goffriller instruments, among others, the violinists Martin Mumelter and Jennifer Pike and the cellist Yo- Yo Ma, Gautier Capuçon, Anner Bylsma, Daniel Müller- Schott, Valentin Erben, Antonio Meneses and Alban Gerhardt were played.