Biography

Otello Bignami - born in Bologna, Italy  on August 6, 1914 and died in Bologna on December 1, 1989.

The life of Otello Bignami closely resembles the lives of various 19th century violin makers in that he drew much vitality from the farming and craft traditions of his origins. The esteem of his master, Gaetano Pollastri

Gaetano Pollastri

-Biography:Gaetano Pollastri Gaetano, Augusto's younger brother,was a professional violinist but after the first world war he devoted himself to violin making. He worked with the same company as his brother in via Castiglione, that was devoted to the construction, repair and commerce of string...

, and the possibility to be able to indicate on his instrument labels that he was a student of Pollastri contributed towards launching his success in the profession.

Bignami also practiced the profession of restorer of fine art work and fine furniture, experiences which were undoubtedly valuable in preparing and composing his instrument varnish.
He was awarded prizes at the following violin making competitions:
the International Exhibition of Cremona  1949; 1st prize - Third National Competition of Santa Cecilia Academy of Rome 1956; and "best maker from Italy" at the Wieniawski Competition in Poland

Poland

Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...

 1957. Won 1st prize and Gold medal in 1967 at Bagnacavallo.

In 1976 he was awarded a "gold violin" from the city of Bagnacavallo

Bagnacavallo

Bagnacavallo is a town and comune in the province of Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. .The Renaissance painter Bartolommeo Ramenghi bore the nickname of his native city.- Main sights:*Castellaccio * Giardino dei Semplici...

; subsequently he won a prize for his special dedication to teaching.

In the course of over forty years of incessant activity, he built a vast number of instruments in the violin family, including several quartets. His instruments are known for their beauty and acoustic qualities.
Amongst his list of illustrious clients was David Oistrakh

David Oistrakh

David Fyodorovich Oistrakh , , David Fiodorović Ojstrakh, ; – October 24, 1974, was a Soviet violinist....

.

Bignami's role as a teacher, and subsequently director, in the violin making school instituted in Bologna

Bologna

Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...

 during the early 1980s was decisive in insuring the continuity of the violin making tradition in this region.

Quotes

"In his rare moments dedicated to relaxation, Otello ventured into another creative art with passion and real dedication: painting. He painted landscapes, still life, and flowers with sweet and melancholic shades, usually giving them away to relations and friends. This was another vehicle for Otello's idealistic and dreamy personality which he expressed without compromise. A silent and discreet way of offering an unforgettable memory of his soul." - Liutaio in Bologna / Violinmaker in Bologna by William Bignami

List of Pupils

• Pietro Trimboli (1939-)
• Curzio Rossi (1936-1977)
• Paolo Ansaloni (1948-)
• Franco Samoggia (1938-)
• Luigi Laterrenia (1952-)
• Roberto Regazzi
  Roberto Regazzi
  Roberto Regazzi is a notable contemporary violin maker and scholar who received his initiation in the craft from Otello Bignami...
  
   (1956-)
• Paola Malaguti (1957-)
• Felicia Pansini (1952-)
• Gianni Orsini (1938-)
• Antonello Adamo (1964-1995)
• Barbara Meyer (1959-)
• Luca Mazzetti (1960-)
• Antonello Gamberini (1961-1991)

• Vincenzo Barile (1964-)
• Alvise Cristinelli (1958-)
• Daniele Canu (1955-)
• Alessandro Urso (1963-)
• Bruno Stefanini (1960-)
• Raffaello Stefanini (1954-)
• Sergio Gregorat (1962-)
• Giuseppe Gugole (1954-)
• Giovanna Benzi (1960-)
• Federico Lippi Bruni (1957-)
• Ezia di Labio (1960-)
• Maurizio Spignoli (1958-2007)

Instruments

In the course of over forty years of incessant activity, he built a vast number of instruments in the violin family, including several quartets (most prominent are from 1975,1976 & 1977). 1975 & 1976 were made as dedications to Gaetano Pollastri

Gaetano Pollastri

-Biography:Gaetano Pollastri Gaetano, Augusto's younger brother,was a professional violinist but after the first world war he devoted himself to violin making. He worked with the same company as his brother in via Castiglione, that was devoted to the construction, repair and commerce of string...

. 1977 was made as homage and dedication to Augusto Pollastri

Augusto Pollastri

Augusto Pollastri - was a renowned Italian violin maker, older brother to Gaetano Pollastri....

 (marking the centenary celebration of Augusto's birth). Bignamis instruments are known for their beauty and acoustic qualities.

O. Bignami Viola which was part of a quartet from 1976:

Living Museum

Discover the history of the Bolognese School Bolognese Violin Makers

'Up to the first half of the nineteenth century, Violin Making in Italy

Italy

Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...

 was in a standstill cycle; yet, during the second half of the century, Raffaele Fiorini

Raffaele Fiorini

Raffaele Fiorini , was an influential Italian violin maker.Innovator. personality and pioneer of the great rebirth of contemporary Bolognese violinmaking, Fiorini was born at Musiano di Pian di Macina di Pianoro near Bologna.He spent his first youth in Bazzano where he learned the first elements of...

 :it:Fiorini Raffaele gave new impulse to it.
Thanks to him, born in Musiano di Pianoro, the luthier's ancient Art was brought back to a new life.' - History

"...Otello Bignami, teacher of the greatest part of the professional luthiers now living and working in Bologna; his memory is still very vivid among them who knew him. The reconstruction of his workshop shall be a true sign of love besides an important educational and historical research. Goal of this exhibition is to examine thoroughly these Masters' work in their own geographical historical and social context, showing to the townspeople a real treasure of artistic tradition." http://www.ilsuonodibologna.org/en/overhist.htm