2021-01-21T12:34:00+00:00
The violin, valued at just under $4 million, was played by the Irish violinist Patricia Treacy
A rare Stradivari violin was loaned for a performance during President Joseph R. Biden’s inaugural mass yesterday at St Matthew’s Cathedral. The violin, made by the legendary Antonio’s son, Omobono, was played by the Irish violinist Patricia Treacy, who performed ‘The Proclamation’ and ‘On Eagle’s Wing’ via video recording from Chicago’s St Patrick’s Church in accordance with heightened security procedures. Treacy hails from the same part of Ireland as Joe Biden’s ancestors: County Louth.
Valued at just under $4 million USD, the violin, which previously belonged to violinist Jesse Cecci for almost 50 years, is now up for purchase for only the third time since 1963. Omobono Stradivari made the violin under the direction of his father, Antonio, in Cremona, Italy circa 1700, during his father’s coveted ‘Golden Period.’