Today we’d like to introduce you to Virginia Morricone.
Please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I studied painting and music my whole life, and I had no doubt I would have become an orchestral musician. But once I obtained my degree in music, I felt lost. I lost motivation and enthusiasm. I wasn’t able to move forward along that path; It was a tough time of my life. As I started spending some time doing small woodworking, my boyfriend noticed my talent and pushed me to try a luthiery school. He thought it was smart to blend my handcraft and music skills. My journey started as simple as I’ve just told you. From the very beginning, I felt I have found what I wanted to do in life. After a few weeks of classes, I got a job at my teacher’s workshop in Rome. I worked there for some years before opening my own business in a small city in Central Italy. Events in life brought me to live in Spain for a while. I was living in the city of Valencia, working for the viola maker Sergi Martí. There I learned a lot and developed my skills not only as a maker but also as a restorer. I am very grateful to him and all my colleagues.
Has it been a smooth road?
It wasn’t easy at all for me. After graduating from the conservatory, I felt the pressure of rapidly starting my career. Instead, I moved back to study a different field, fighting the feeling of having lost so many years. I had to face my family’s and friends’ concerns, other than seeing people around me move forward with their career. I felt l was struggling behind them. My personality didn’t help, as well. I naturally tend to be critical with myself. If, on one side, it helps a lot to work in such a unique field, on the other hand, it tends to lower my self-esteem during pressure times. Despite that, I have never doubt for a second of wanting to be a violin maker, and for the first time, I felt passionate and rewarded from doing my job.
Virginia Morricone violin maker – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
As a luthier, Viola making is what moves my interest most. I’m passionate about violas not only for the sound of the instrument but also because the making process gives me some extra freedom in shaping the instruments and deciding the size. Therefore, I believe that violas give me the chance to express my personality as an artist better. Bow maintenance and rehairing, together with bow instrument restoration, are also part of my skill and daily work routine. If I have to think about something that makes me proud of my work, I would say that shaping my instruments using only hand tools is what characterizes me the most. Following tradition and driven by my passion for handicraft, I decided not to use electric tools. Sure, these tools can make my life easier. They can shorten the time needed to finish an instrument. But they would also prevent me from hearing the sound of gouges and planes on the wood, from feeling the emotion of seeing my creations take shape under my hands.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
When I first arrived in Los Angeles, I had a lovely feeling about the city. I love the ocean, people are friendly, and it looks like a place where you can have many gold career opportunities. Unfortunately, I can’t say so much more than this as I arrived here only a few months before COVID-19 lead to the shot down. Honestly, I can’t wait to enjoy the city thoroughly and meeting new people.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.virginiamorricone.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/virginiamorricone
Image Credit:
Personal Picture: Martina Cavaliere
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