Australian Chamber Orchestra Acquires Rare 416-Year-Old Viola

The orchestra's principal violist spent 5 years searching for the historic instrument made by renowned Italian luthier Giovanni Paoli Maggini.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Stefanie Farrands, the principal violist with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, spent five years searching before finally tracking down a rare 416-year-old viola made in 1610 by renowned Italian luthier Giovanni Paoli Maggini. The orchestra's special instrument fund purchased the viola, which is considered one of the best tenor violas still in existence, for over $3 million after an extensive authentication process.

Why it matters

The acquisition of this historic viola is a major milestone for the Australian Chamber Orchestra, which has been actively building its collection of rare, high-quality instruments from the "Golden Age" of lutherie between the 16th and 18th centuries. The orchestra sees these instruments as "living works of art" that can enhance their musical performances with unique tonal qualities.

The details

The viola was previously owned by British violinist and composer Henry Holmers before being passed to an amateur musician. It resurfaced in the late 1920s through the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company and eventually found its way into the hands of a collector in the U.S. The orchestra's chief financial officer, Fiona McLeod, said they had to sell another instrument from their collection to make the $3 million purchase possible. After a thorough authentication process, including a CT scan, the viola was cleared to be played on stage with the orchestra.

  • Stefanie Farrands began searching for the rare viola 5 years ago.
  • The viola was made in 1610 by Italian luthier Giovanni Paoli Maggini.
  • The viola was previously owned by British violinist and composer Henry Holmers before being passed to an amateur musician.
  • The viola resurfaced in the late 1920s through the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company.
  • The Australian Chamber Orchestra purchased the viola in 2026.

The players

Stefanie Farrands

The principal violist with the Australian Chamber Orchestra who spent 5 years searching for the rare 416-year-old viola.

Giovanni Paoli Maggini

A famous Italian luthier known for building instruments with outstanding quality, who made the 416-year-old viola in 1610.

Henry Holmers

A British violinist and composer who previously owned the 416-year-old viola.

Fiona McLeod

The chief financial officer of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, who oversaw the $3 million purchase of the rare viola.

Rudolph Wurlitzer Company

The company through which the 416-year-old viola resurfaced in the late 1920s.

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What they’re saying

“I immediately burst into tears when I rested it on my collarbone and felt it resonate.”

— Stefanie Farrands, Principal Violist, Australian Chamber Orchestra

“The viola is a living work of art and has added a one-of-a-kind sound to the orchestra.”

— Fiona McLeod, Chief Financial Officer, Australian Chamber Orchestra

What’s next

The Australian Chamber Orchestra plans to feature the rare 416-year-old viola in upcoming concert performances, allowing audiences to experience its unique and mysterious tone.

The takeaway

The Australian Chamber Orchestra's acquisition of this historic viola demonstrates their commitment to preserving and celebrating the finest examples of musical craftsmanship from the "Golden Age" of lutherie. By investing in rare instruments like this, they are ensuring that these living works of art continue to inspire and enrich classical music performances for generations to come.