Sasakawa Music Foundation brings historic Stradivari violins to Cremona

Nine historic string instruments, including eight Stradivari violins and one Guarneri del Gesù, have returned to Cremona, Italy, for a series of musical performances. The event, titled ‘Stradivari Gala 2026’, is organized by the Tokyo-based Sasakawa Music Foundation to commemorate the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Italy.

The collection, which includes notable instruments such as the ‘Dolphin’, ‘Jupiter’, and the ‘Alumnus Amati’, was showcased at the Museo del Violino’s Arvedi auditorium. The inaugural concert featured international musicians, including the Goldmund Quartet and soloists such as Benjamin Beilman and Reiko Watanabe, performing works by composers including Dvorak, Brahms, Shostakovich, and Bartók.

The concert series is scheduled to continue through October 6, with upcoming performances held in Genoa and Siena.