About Us | American Violin Shop

Our Story: A Foundation Among Masterpieces

The American Violin Shop was born from an elite lineage of expertise in the rare instrument trade. Our founder, Paolo Alberghini, began his journey in 2007 with a seminal internship at the legendary workshop of Maestro René Morel. It was here that Paolo earned the Maestro's trust, eventually accepting a full-time position as a sales associate at Morel's encouragement.

During this era, Paolo gained daily, intimate access to the world's most prestigious instruments. He spent years curating and playing masterpieces such as the 1742 "Ex-Lipinski" Guarneri del Gesù (now played by Daniel Hope), the "Felix Galimir" Stradivari, and legendary works by Montagnana, Guadagnini, and Amati.

The Art of Sound Production and How it Defines our Shop

Through years of interaction with an eminent clientele of world-class soloists and collectors, Paolo developed a profound understanding of how great artists approach sound.

He learned that the unique build of every maker—from the great Italian houses to the French masters—dictates not only the tone but the very way a musician must approach the instrument to unlock its voice.

This period was mentored by René Morel, who encouraged Paolo to follow in the footsteps of his own legendary business partner, Jacques Francais.

A Landmark in Violin History

Upon launching his own firm, Paolo ascended to the top ranks of the global rare instrument trade. His career reached a historic milestone when he led the landmark sale of the 1741 "Vieuxtemps" Guarneri del Gesù in collaboration with J. & A. Beare of London.

This sale became a world record, breaking all previous sales marks—including the price paid at auction for the "Lady Blunt" Stradivari.

The Mission: Excellence for the Advancing Artist

In 2025, Paolo recognized a gap in the market: the same level of tonal curation and professional setup he applied to multi-million dollar "Del Gesùs" was missing for the student and advancing artist.

Today, the American Violin Shop brings that elite expertise to every instrument we offer.

Based in New York, our firm is a sophisticated family enterprise. While Paolo serves as the Founder, providing the high-level vetting and strategic vision, the daily operations are managed by a dedicated team of musicians from our family. This ensures that every student receives "high-touch" professional care from active musicians who understand the gravity of finding the right voice.

Beyond the Workshop: The MML Project™

Our commitment to excellence extends into the community through the Music, Math, and Literacy Project™. This initiative focuses on the intersection of music education and academic success. We believe that by fostering musical literacy, we are building the cognitive foundations for math and language skills.