A cello by
Antonio Stradivari

The “Braga” Stradivari cello is a most significant and important example of the great master’s late instruments.

Of this last model there are only 5 cellos in existence – one has been enlarged and one was reduced, leaving just three with their original outline. The “Pawle” Stradivari is now owned by the Chi-Mei Foundation and the “De Munck – Feuermann” is with the Nippon Foundation. Both these instruments had their labels altered, the “Pawle” to 1720 and the “Feuermann” to 1710. The label of the “Braga” being untouched confirmed for the Hills that these instruments were all made at the beginning of the 1730s.

Gaetano Braga was a composer and cellist. Born in 1829 in Giulianova in Abruzzi, he studied in Naples with, among others, the composer Saverio Mercadante. By age 14 he devoted himself to the cello and performed throughout Europe. He wrote several works for the instrument including two concertos. As a composer his greatest success came with his operas which were often quoted after the beginning of the 1870s. His image was captured by the famous French caricaturist and photographer Étienne Carjat.

Braga died in Milan in 1907 and his Stradivari was sold by Caressa & Francais. It was purchased by a lawyer, Dr. Luigi Mancini for 25,000 francs. It was later sold by Hammig and ultimately acquired by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. It was played for several years by Janos Starker who was principal cellist of the orchestra when Fritz Reiner became its Music Director in 1953. Starker settled in Bloomington, Indiana in 1958 and the following year the principal position was taken by Frank Miller who remained with the Chicago Symphony until 1985. Miller did not play the “Braga,” but the orchestra kept the cello until 1978 when it was sold by Jacques Francais to the cellist Myung Wha Chung.