top of page
Mattia Riva violin maker
Fine Italian violins, violas and cellos
Mattia Riva violin maker
I have been involved in the making of stringed instrument since 1996, with particularly focus on making and restoring the classical string quartet, violins, violas and cellos.
I attended the International Violin Making School in Milan where I achieved a diploma in violin-making under the guidance of M° Luca Primon, before going on to collaborate with M° Marco Piccinotti and M° Gabriele Negri, with whom the latter of which I also share a passion for 20th Century Milanese lutherie.
From 2000 to 2005 I further refined my abilities by taking several refrescher courses, among which the Specialized Courses in Restoration, by M° Carlos Arcieri and M° Gabriele Negri at the Accademia Perosi in Biella.
Later, I did in depth studies of other disciplines like bow-repairing and bow-rehairing with M° Pietro Cavallazzi in Milan, varnishing techniques with M° Gregg Alf in Parma, set up and sound adjustement with M° Carlos Arcieri in Biella and the most modern relief techniques with RTV Silicone resins on historical instruments with M° Sharon Que in Parma.
Since 2005 I have been tooking part in competitions and exhibitions in Cremona, Frankfurt, Moscow, Mittenwald, Poznan, Paris, Shanghai and Tokyo, consolidating international partnerships.
In 2010 I won the gold medal (first price - cello) at the 4th national competition A.N.L.A.I. professionals, Pisogne – Italy.
In 2011 I won the gold medal (first price - violin) at the 2nd international competition A.N.L.A.I, violin copies, Pisogne – Italy.
Since 2017 I have been working as a teacher at the International Violin Making School of Milan.
I live and work in Varese.
My work - The Milanese School
Art and style of a great tradition
My personal production is limited to a few pieces per year, made with extreme skill and care and paying particular attention to the choice of materials and models.
When choosing styles and aesthetics I am inspired by the great Italian violin makers like Stradivari, Guarneri and Amati but particularly by the modern Milanese lutherie school, so by perpetuating its characteristics while following my teachers' imprint.
Makers like Giuseppe Ornati, Ferdinando Garimberti, Leandro Bisiach and Riccardo Antoniazzi are often my preferred reference in style, during violin making... Instruments
Restoration & service
Esperience and competence at the service of musicians
Apart from our violin making activity, the workshop offers restoration and repair services for violins, violas and cellos, acoustic set-up, bow rehairing, and small size instruments rental.
A wide range of ancient 19th Century French and German violins, with rigorously selected quality and proportions, is always available and suitable to intermediate and avanced students.
We also purchase Italian violins, violas and cellos and offer a consultancy and account sale service with insurance coverage.
bottom of page