=Antonius Stradivarius=.—The greatest of violin-makers who united in his instruments the brilliant and powerful tone of di Salo and the Brescian school and the purity and finish of the Amati was =Antonius Stradivarius= (Antonio Stradivari is the Italian form), born in 1644, one year after the death of Monteverde, and died in 1737, five years after the birth of Haydn, a period of nearly a century in which a most significant development took place in music. He was apprenticed to Nicolo Amati, and the instruments of his early years are faithful copies of that master’s work; but as he grew in years and experience he improved on the Amati model, every change tending to produce a more powerful and resonant tone. The differences that strike the eye most strongly are the larger proportions, the flatter arch of the top, and the shape of the sound holes. In his earlier instruments he used a yellowish varnish; after 1684, one of a reddish tint. Stradivarius also fixed the form and adjustment of the bridge. He left two sons, Francesco and Omoboni, who finished some of their father’s instruments after his death. They both died five or six years later. Pupils of Stradivarius who made excellent instruments were =Carlo Bergonzi= (1712-1750), =Lorenzo Guadagnini= (1695-1740) and his son =Johannes Baptista Guadagnini= (1750-1785) and =Alessandro Gagliano=. =Other Makers=.—Germany’s contribution to violin-making dates from =Jakob Stainer=, of Absam in Tyrol (1621-1683). Tradition has it that he learned his art at Cremona; if so, his work shows no influence of the Amati; his model is different, somewhat broader and shorter, the arch of the belly is greater, and the sound holes are set differently; the varnish varies from a brown to an amber color; the tone is sweet and quick to respond, but lacks intensity. A follower of Stainer was =Ægidius Klotz= (1653-1743), many of whose instruments were sold as of Stainer’s make. France contributed no makers of great renown. The names of importance are =Nicholas Lupot= (1758-1824), a follower of Stradivarius, and =J. B. Vuillaume= (1799-1875). In England the most distinguished names are =Richard Duke= and =Benjamin Banks= (1727-1795).