Mario Antonio Frosali, Los Angeles 1942

​Mario Antonio Frosali (b.1886, d.1981) was a very fine Italian violinmaker and violin virtuoso. Born in Legnano, he learned the craft in his native Italy, making his first violin at age ten and later apprenticed with Giuseppe Scarampella. As a musician, Frosali won the only available scholarship from the Conservatorio di Firenze and graduated as a violin soloist in 1908. He frequently performed there under the baton of luminary guest conductors such as Toscanini. Frosali moved to New York City in 1908 and worked as a player and occasional maker. He officially emigrated to the United States in 1932. His good friend and legendary maker, Simone Saccone, asked Frosali to join him at the Herrmann shop in NYC where he worked for three years before moving to Los Angeles to work for Wurlitzer. There, he worked another 22 years before opening his own home studio. This viola features a spectacularly supple and luminous varnish, clean workmanship and masterful carving. It soars through its entire range with a sweet, glowing tone. It has shimmering overtones, excellent malleability, many colors and generous carrying power. It is just under 16.5” with a shortened stop length to facilitate playability.