An exhibition celebrating the life and times of the influential double bassist was held from 10 to 18 October in Crema, Italy

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The ‘Giovanni Bottesini’ exhibition was held alongside the 8th edition of the International Bottesini Competition for double bassists. The exhibition was open from 10 to 18 October, celebrating the social and cultural context in which Bottesini worked in Crema and abroad.

It was organised in collaboration with the Proloco of Crema at the Proloco exhibition hall in Piazza Duomo. Among the numerous items of memorabilia on display was an exact copy of Bottesini’s Testore double bass, crafted by Italian luthier Marco Nolli. Worth €30,000, the instrument was given as the first prize in the Bottesini Competition, which was won this year by Argentinan bassist Juliàn Medina.

Other items exhibited included manuscripts of Bottesini’s compositions, a series of autographed letters from famous musicians such as Arturo Toscanini and composer Gioachino Rossini, portraits, as well as the autograph of his composition Rêverie, dedicated to the young Leonora Morelli.

Photo credits: Arianna Giavardi and Sara Rosati

Read: Prizes awarded at 2022 Bottesini Double Bass Competition

Listen: The Strad Podcast Episode #21: Leon Bosch on Bottesini

Read: Bottesini’s 200th anniversary: The world at his feet

Explore more Featured Stories  like this in The Strad Playing Hub

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