Analyzing varnishes and decorations could provide a new way to identify mandolin “Old Masters.” Some of the most elaborately decorated instruments in history were produced in 18th century Naples. The ...

The lead actor in the forthcoming stage adaptation of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin has appealed for the return of the show’s titular instrument, which he lost on a train. The Neapolitan mandolin being ...

A long time ago there was a world where people went to what were called record shops. I once went to one that had a sale with such ridiculously low-priced bargains that I came away with bagfuls of ...

It is common to think of musical instruments as immutable. In reality, musical instruments are constantly evolving and improving. The mandolin in particular has undergone a surprising evolution, which ...

Dr. Darrell Smith shows off some of the musical instruments he’s made during a recent talk at the Mon Valley Academy for the Arts in Brownsville. Dr. Darrell Smith plays a violin for those who came to ...

Some of the most elaborately decorated instruments in history were produced in 18th century Naples. The materials for varnishes and decorations used by individual mandolin masters, honed for wealthy ...