Mario Antonio Frosali

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. He won diplomas for both a violin and a viola which he entered in a major international violinmaking competition. 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. Upon graduating, Frosali was employed as a concertmaster of a prominent orchestra but became so unhappy after a love affair that he moved to New York City, taking a position as a violinist at the Hotel Astor in 1909. He then spent 15 years as a violinist at the Biltmore Hotel but after a dispute with the management, he quit and opened a teaching studio where he had a number of students until the late 1920's when "talkies" replaced live musicians at the movies and the Great Depression began. Frosali officially emigrated to the United States in 1932. His good friend and legendary maker, Simone Sacconi, asked Frosali to join him at the workshop of Emil Herrmann in New York City 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 on Pico Blvd. where he taught violin and produced his fine instruments. Each creation took him one to two years to complete.

This violin features a spectacularly supple and luminous varnish, clean workmanship and masterful carving. The one piece back and scroll are particularly stunning. True to form, this violin is made for the soloist. It soars through its entire range with a bright yet deep tone which cuts when needed. It has shimmering overtones and generous carrying power.

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