The time has come for the Musical Instrument Museum’s (MIM) one-of-a-kind exhibition “Stradivarius: Origins and Legacy of the Greatest Violin Maker” to close and MIM is ending the exhibition with an exciting cadenza.

On June 4 and 5, come to MIM and “Experience Italy” with music, culture, food and more. Delight in an Italian Clarinet Classics performance as well as a violin and fiddle show. Enjoy Italian string music, learn about Italian violins and hear the interplay of violin and guitar in a special musical presentation.

Learn about the Italian city of Cremona and its long history of violin making from Virginia Villa, director general of the Museo del Violino, and Paolo Bodini, president of the Friends of Stradivari. Be hands-on with a toe-tap piano and try making an Italian accordion. Don’t miss the delicious Italian-inspired food items for sale at Café Allegro, including minestrone vegetable soup, saffron risotto with wild mushrooms and cannoli.

On the evening of June 5, the closing night of the Stradivarius exhibition, guests will have the opportunity to hear the “Artôt-Alard” violin, created by Antonio Stradivari in 1566, played by Endre Balogh live in concert. Balogh, owner of the violin, has performed as a soloist with the Berlin Philharmonic, Rotterdam Philharmonic, and Basel Symphony. He will be accompanied by classical guitarist and composer Brian Head.

June 4 and 5 is the last chance for guests to see the Stradivarius exhibition, displaying five historical instruments from the 16th to the early 19th century and five contemporary masterworksfrom Europe and America representing the ongoing legacy of the Cremonese violin-making method. This exhibition also includes a selection of tools and designs from the workshop of Antonio Stradivari, which are rarely on display outside of Cremona.

The Stradivarius exhibition is presented in partnership with two Cremona-based institutions Museo del Violino and the Friends of Stradivari. Representatives of both came for the installation and opening of the exhibition. Now, both organizations return to help with the de-installation of these magnificent instruments.

Tickets prices will go for:

“Stradivarius: Origins and Legacy of the Greatest Violin Maker” is $7 with paid museum admission and $10 for the exhibition itself.

Activities and performances of “Experience Italy” are included with paid museum admission.