A young Cork musician is trying to raise funds to pay for a 300-year-old violin, she has developed a strong attachment to.
Elizabeth Cooney (29) is a rising star on the classical music scene, having previously won scholarships to the Royal College of Music in London, and fostering a growing reputation on the national and international classical touring circuit.
"I went looking for a violin about five months ago all over Europe," said Elizabeth, "as the one I had was just on loan from the Royal College.
"I found a very reliable dealer in London, and it was there I basically came upon the violin of my dreams."
However, the instrument, made in 1700 by Matteo Gofriller, a renowned craftsman of the northern Italian tradition, carried a price tag of £295,000 (€427,000). While Elizabeth managed to raise £100,000 towards the cost herself, she is now hoping to attract investors to enable her purchase the instrument outright.
Yet, unless financial support is forthcoming, she fears she may be forced to hand the instrument back. "Investing in a musical instrument might be a new thing in Ireland, but I think once people know about it they would be open to investing. It's like investing in a Picasso really.
"There is no doubt the instrument will appreciate rapidly. There are very few of these violins left in the world, and few again in such mint condition."
Irish audiences will get a chance to hear the violin during Elizabeth's upcoming tour as the Syrius Trio, supported by The Music Network. The trio, which includes Jane O'Hara (cello) and Bobby Chen (piano) perform in Waterville, Kerry, on September 22nd, The Coach House, Dublin, on September 26th, and the Cork School of Music on the 27th.
