Camillo Mandelli 'da Calco'

Born in Olgiate Calco, Como province, Italy in 1873.

His real name is Guglielmo Secondo Camillo Mandelli.

He called himself Camillo da Calco after his hometown.

He worked as a carpenter in his youth, but his interest in the violin led him to move to Milan in 1890.

He soon studied violin making under Leandro Bisiach (1864-1946) and later under the Antoniazzi brothers (Riccardo Antoniazzi 1853-1912/Romeo Antoniazzi 1862-1925).

He immigrated to Argentina at the end of the 19th century and opened a famous bar in Buenos Aires, attracting many musicians.

He was also popular with local wealthy people and collectors, supplying them with instruments bearing their coats of arms and even being appointed as the exclusive instrument maker for a newly built theater.

During his time in Buenos Aires, he continued his commercial relationship with Bijacchi, regularly sending instruments to Milan.

In the early 1920s Mandelli returned to Italy, where he worked first in partnership with Romeo Antoniazzi and later with Giacomo and Leandro Bisiach (1900-1995/1904-1982).

In 1936 he moved to Sesto San Giovanni, where his daughter and daughter-in-law lived, and spent the rest of his life occasionally making musical instruments.

Mandelli's instrument combines powerful individuality with sensitivity, evoking the influence of Riccardo Antoniazzi.

They are almost exclusively made from European wood of excellent quality and are varnished with both oil and alcohol varnishes, mainly orange-red or brown-orange.

Its sound quality, volume, and clarity are highly praised.

He died in St. San Giovanni in 1956 (age 83).

Quotes《The Brompton's Book of Violin and Bow Makers》《Liuteria Italiana en la Argentina》