MIM Unveils Golden Age of Violins and Guitars

Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography Courtesy of the Musical Instrument Museum

In a harmonious blend of history, artistry and musical innovation, the Musical Instrument Museum in North Phoenix is set to unveil its most ambitious exhibition yet. “Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars” opens Nov. 8, offering Valley residents and visitors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness some of the world’s most exquisite and influential string instruments.

“This is truly an exceptional exhibition where we’re showcasing more than 75 phenomenal instruments,” says Matthew Zeller, MIM’s curator for Europe. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime collection for Arizona. To my knowledge, nothing quite like this has ever been publicly displayed in the state before.”

The exhibition reads like a who’s who of legendary instrument makers, featuring works by Antonio Stradivari, Andrea Amati and Giuseppe Guarneri “del Gesu.” These names resonate through centuries, their creations still revered as the pinnacle of violin craftsmanship.

“We’re dealing with one of the rare types of objects in the world where something made 300 or 400 years ago is still considered the best and is being used by musicians every day,” Zeller explains. “Guests will have the chance to see some of the finest violins by the most renowned violin makers in history.”

But the exhibition’s scope extends beyond violins. Visitors will discover an array of string instruments, including guitars, lutes and mandolins, each telling a story of innovation and artistic evolution.

“We aim to celebrate these instruments as works of art, as historical artifacts and as musical instruments,” Zeller says. “We also want to draw connections between the different types of instruments and help our guests find meaningful connections to their own lives.”

Bridging Centuries of Craftsmanship: Matthew Zeller, MIM’s curator for Europe, compares the intricate details of a 1684 Tielke chitarriglia with a circa 1625 guitar from the school of Matteo Sellas. These treasures, on loan from the Austin-Marie Collection, showcase the evolution of string instrument design.

One such connection lies in the exhibition’s showcase of guitar evolution. An 1834 guitar by Christian Frederick Martin, one of his first made in America after emigrating from Austria, illustrates the birth of an iconic American company still thriving today.

The exhibition doesn’t just display instruments; it brings them to life. More than half of the objects are accompanied by performance videos, allowing visitors to both see and hear these masterpieces in action.

“It’s always an incredibly impactful experience,” Zeller notes. “You don’t need to know all the details to appreciate the differences and similarities. You might notice that one shape is drastically different from another, yet you see elements of it repeated in various objects throughout the exhibition.”

From the 1560s Andrea Amati violin that essentially birthed the modern instrument to the lavishly decorated guitars of 17th-century Venice, the exhibition traces the golden age of string instrument craftsmanship. It reveals a world where violin and guitar making were not isolated pursuits but interconnected arts influencing each other across European cultural centers.

“We’re showing people that this was an era when incredible innovations were happening, and these developments were far more interconnected than we might otherwise think,” Zeller explains.

As the exhibition prepares to open its doors, it promises to strike a chord with music lovers, history buffs and art enthusiasts alike. In bringing together these rare and beautiful instruments, MIM once again cements its position as a cultural jewel of the Valley, offering an experience that resonates with the sophistication and artistic appreciation of its audience.

“My goal is for people to come here, have fun and experience that joy firsthand,” Zeller concludes. “And if they happen to learn something along the way? Well, that’s wonderful too.”


‘Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars’

Nov. 8–Sept. 14 // 9 a.m.–5 p.m. // The Musical Instrument Museum // 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix // $7 with paid museum entry; $10 exhibition only (ages 20+), $4 (ages 4–19), free (ages 3 and younger) // 480-478-6000 // mim.org