1. Theories are often been put forth that Stradivari must have used a secret ingredient that made his instruments special, perhaps in the varnish.

2. 'To play a Stradivari, to bring that wonderful sound to life', there can be no greater pleasure for the violinist.

3. Alberti was the originator of the violin's design even though Stradivari made it famous.

4. Most string virtuosi perform on instruments made by Italian masters a few hundred years ago, and preferably by Antonio Stradivari, the greatest of them all.

5. Another group of magnificent fiddles is on view in the Stradivari museum.

6. Italy produced outstanding families of violin - makers. Probably the greatest of these was Auto - nio Stradivari ( 1644 - 1737 ).

7. In his "golden age" of violin-making, between 1700 and 1720, Stradivari developed a flatter design that helped to project the sound.

8. One day, I was offered a 1772 violin made by Giovanni Guadagnini, an alumnus of Stradivari, which was for sale.