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Matteo Goffriller (1659–1742) was aVenetianluthier, particularly noted for the quality of hiscellos. He was active between 1685–1735 and was the founder of the "Venetian School" of luthiers,^[1] during a time when Venice was one of the most important centers of musical activity in the world.

Although it is known that Goffriller was born inBrixen, little else is known of him prior to 1685 inVenice. Goffriller arrived in Venice in 1685 to work for luthier Martin Kaiser (Caiser).^[2] In 1685 he married Martin Kaiser's daughter Maddalena Maria Kaiser (Caiser), at theMadonna delle Grazie in Venice; they had twelve children (five boys and seven girls) in 26 years.Francesco Goffriller, long thought to be his brother, is now known to have been his son.^[3]

He was the founder of the "Venetian School" of luthiers,^[1] when Venice was one of the most important centers of musical activity in the world, and is believed to have taught luthiersDomenico Montagnana andFrancesco Gobetti in addition to his sonFrancesco. After arriving in Venice, he is noted for being the city's sole violin and cello maker for some 25 years, between 1685 and 1710.^[4]

He died in Venice in 1742.

Goffriller's cellos had been erroneously attributed in the past to theGuarneri family,Carlo Bergonzi or evenAntonio Stradivari and were virtually unknown until the 1920s, when they began to be discovered. The 1733 Goffriller cello once owned byPablo Casals was originally attributed to Bergonzi. His earliest authenticated instrument is aviola da gamba dated 1689.

The standard label for a Goffriller instrument, whether genuine or forged, uses the Latin inscriptionMattheus Goffriller Fece in Venezia Anno [date], identifying maker, city (Venice) and year made; the date is either printed or handwritten. But he actually labeled only a small percentage of the instruments in order to avoid paying Venetian taxes.

Mattheus Goffriller feciebatVenetus, anno 1735

Mattio Gofrilleri in Venetiaal' Insigna di Cremona. 1695

Mattio Goffriler Fecein Venezia. Anno 1709

Mattio Goffriller Fecein Venetia. 1721

Matteo Goffriller fecitVenetijis anno 17--

Pablo Casals's Goffriller 1733 cello was his main concert instrument for most of his professional life. He acquired it in 1913 and played it until his death in 1973. Since 2000, winners of the International Pablo Casals Cello Competition inKronberg,Germany may use it for two years.^[5]Terence Weil played another Goffriller used by Casals before the one he played between 1913 and 1973.^[6]

Other notable musicians who have used Goffriller instruments include:

^[16]==References==

• Violin and Lute makers of Venice 1640 -176 by Stefano Pio, Ed. Venice research, Venezia 2004 www.veniceresearch.com
• Journal of The Violin Society of America, VSA papers Vol. XXI, No. 1 “The Life and Work of Matteo Goffriller of Venice 1659–1742” by Stefano Pio.

• "Violins, violas, cellos & double basses made by Matteo Goffriller". Cozio.com. 2008. Archived fromthe original on 2006-05-06.
• " Matteo Goffriller Cello" by the John Dilworth on the Amati website.

• 1659 births
• 1742 deaths
• Italian luthiers
• People from Brixen
• Artisans from the Republic of Venice

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