Silvia Zanchi (born 1981, Bergamo) is an Italian classical guitar maker and restorer based in Bergamo, Italy. Trained at the Civica Scuola di Liuteria in Milan and later alongside Lorenzo Frignani of Modena, she builds concert classical guitars and copies of historical instruments, and is a recognized specialist in French polishing (shellac varnishing).
At a Glance
- Born: August 27, 1981, Bergamo, Italy
- Workshop: Bergamo, Italy
- Training: Civica Scuola di Liuteria, Milan (graduated 2004; restoration diploma 2005)
- Further study: Lorenzo Frignani, Modena
- Specialty: French polishing – co-author of the "Gommalacca" notebooks
- Builds: classical concert guitars and copies of historical instruments
Silvia Zanchi: Training in Bergamo and Milan
Italian luthier Silvia Zanchi was born in Bergamo on August 27, 1981. After obtaining the Artistic Maturity in the field of Conservation and Cataloging of Cultural Heritage (State Art High School, Bergamo), she dedicated herself to instrument making by attending courses at the Civica Scuola di Liuteria in Milan. She graduated in 2004 with top marks in the construction of plucked instruments under the guidance of Masters Tiziano Rizzi, Lorenzo Lippi and Aldo Illotta. The following year she obtained the diploma of the specialization course in restoration of musical instruments under the guidance of Gabriele Negri, again with top marks. She then collaborated with Master Lorenzo Frignani of Modena, with whom she completed a period of in-depth study of the construction techniques of plucked instruments, in particular the classical guitar.
Teaching and French Polishing Research
Silvia taught at the "Laboratory of Construction of Plucked Instruments" at the Civica Scuola di Liuteria in Milan in 2006/2007, and also taught traditional French polishing at the same school. She has collaborated with the IROR (Institute for Organological Research and Restoration) and continues to teach theoretical and practical seminars on shellac varnishing. She has also published a series of three technical notebooks about French polishing entitled "Gommalacca", in collaboration with Claudio Canevari.
The results of her work have been presented in Paris at the Cité de la Musique, at the International Conference "De la Peinture à Chevalet à l'Instrument de Musique: Vernis, Liants, Couleurs" (March 6–7, 2007); in Milan at a public conference at the Civica Scuola di Liuteria (May 2007); at the Cremona Mondomusica 2007 salon; in Parma at the Palazzetto Eucherio Sanvitale in the Ducal Garden, as part of the exhibition "The Botany of Music", in a meeting entitled "The Secret of Father Jamart – Shellac: Insects, Trees, Musical Instruments" (May 9, 2008); at the Teatro Zeppilli in Pieve di Cento, with a talk at the National Biennial Conference of Violin Making entitled "The Importance of Publishing in the Historical Passage of Experience" (September 13, 2008); and at the Cremona Mondomusica 2008 salon, as part of the conference "Varnishes in Violin Making".
Concert Guitars and Historical Copies in Bergamo
Today Silvia dedicates herself to the construction and restoration of plucked instruments in her Bergamo workshop – in particular classical concert guitars and copies of historical originals. Alongside her building, she carries out considerable research into the construction techniques of historical instruments and into shellac varnishing.
Silvia Zanchi's guitars are a recent and very welcome addition at GSI. You'll find guitars currently in stock by clicking the "Guitars In Stock" button in the header of this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Silvia Zanchi's workshop?
In Bergamo, Italy.
Where did Silvia Zanchi train?
At the Civica Scuola di Liuteria in Milan, where she graduated in 2004 with top marks, followed by a restoration diploma and further study with Lorenzo Frignani in Modena.
Is Silvia Zanchi a French polish specialist?
Yes – she has taught French polishing in Milan, gives seminars on shellac varnishing and co-wrote the "Gommalacca" technical notebooks with Claudio Canevari.
