Luigi Soffritti

Casumaro (Ferrara) 06/03/1841- Ferrara 18/02/1903

BIOGRAPHY

He was an apprentice of Luigi Meletti. Carpenter and luthier, after the models of the Marconcinis he built many violins and cellos of great class. Humble and very modest, he did not achieve the fame he deserved. He realized his best instruments from the moment he designated his son as luthier and violinist. An expert eye can immediately distinguish his instruments, often forged. His workshop was in via Mazzini, facing the synagogue.

Via Mazzini, Ferrara

Senator Arlotti commissioned him to build violins. He used a wide variety of labels, sometimes printed and many handwritten, probably not by him; in fact, there are instances of different calligraphies and in some cases written directly on the wood of the back (photo below).

Luigi Soffritti Labels