Azzo Paolo Rovescalli

Born in Cremona on February 5, 1880.
He began playing the violin at a young age at the urging of his father.
With the help of his father, who was his legal representative, he found work as a clerk in a collector's office in Milan. There he met Leandro Bisiach (1864-1945), and began to visit Leandro's workshop frequently, where he also became acquainted with the Antoniazzi brothers (Romeo Antoniazzi 1862-1925 and Riccardo Antoniazzi 1853-1912). Having mastered the basics of violin making, he quit his job and devoted himself to violin making.
He then went independent at Corso Monforte, during which time he also studied at the Milan Conservatory, improving his violin skills to the point where he was able to perform at various venues both in Italy and abroad.
However, his extraordinary lifestyle took its toll, which affected his instrument making, and after moving from place to place he died in tragic circumstances on December 7, 1940.
Azzo had five children, two of whom, Manlio (Manlio Rovescalli 1904-1945) and Tullio (Tullio Rovescalli 1906-1974), became violin makers.

Azzo's style clearly reflects that of the Antoniazzi brothers, and he sometimes passed himself off as Romeo Antoniazzi.
The early versions have a beautifully textured yellowish-amber varnish, while the later versions are less flexible and tend to have a reddish-brown colour.
They also produce some engraved scrolls, and in addition to the label, they sometimes brand the initials "AR" into the buttons or endpins.

Quote《Liuteria Italiana II》