Duport Stradivarius

The Duport Strad, or Stradivarius, is a cello built in 1711 by Antonio Stradivari, and owned and played since 1974 by Mstislav Rostropovich.

Related Topics:
Stradivarius - Cello - 1711 - Antonio Stradivari - 1974 - Mstislav Rostropovich

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The instrument is named for Jean-Pierre Duport, who played it around 1800.

Related Topics:
Jean-Pierre Duport - 1800

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In 1812, Duport permitted Napoleon to handle it; a dent, still visible on the instrument, is said to have resulted from the emperor's incompetent handling of it.

Related Topics:
1812 - Napoleon

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Auguste-Joseph Franchomme set a price record by purchasing it for 22,000 francs in 1843 from Duport's son.

Related Topics:
Auguste-Joseph Franchomme - 1843

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The great 19th-century instrument maker Jean Baptiste Vuillaume used the Duport Strad as the primary model for the approximately three thousand cellos that he built.

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It is one of the most valuable Strads left in existence.

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