Genuzio Carletti (Cento 1905-1996) was one of the best luthiers of the Carletti family. Born at Pieve di Cento, where he always worked; he was the cousin of Natale and Orfeo, who were also well-known string instrument makers.

Otello Bignami (Bologna 1914-1989) is considered as one of the most important luthiers of the 20^th-century Bolognese School. He was at first a violinist and then a luthier, apprentice at Gaetano Pollastri’s, who allowed him at once to sign as his apprentice.

Otello Bignami (Bologna 1914-1989) is considered as one of the most important luthiers of the 20^th-century Bolognese School. He was at first a violinist and then a luthier, apprentice at Gaetano Pollastri’s, who allowed him at once to sign as his apprentice.

As it often happens when we go backwards in time with news which gets lost little by little, we do not know whose apprentice Giuseppe Sgarbi was (Finale Emilia 1818 - Modena 1905).

Celestino Farotto (Milan 1905-1988) started his string instrument maker’s career when he was very young at his uncle Celeste’s workshop and with his father Salvatore.

It is the most recently-made of the instruments awarded during the Prize Award (this viola is exactly one hundred years younger than Gaetano Vinaccia's cello). It may not be as old as the other instruments but it is just as amazing. It makes a marvellous and delicate sound, with a singing "A". 

Recent studies have shown that the nineteenth-century italian luthier's art, contrary to what was claimed untill a few years ago, represented a moment of great importancing, creating new styles and methods of work.