T. SavedPassionate about violin From adolescence, Marie-Catherine discovered this world the day she accompanied her grandfather to the luthier who was servicing his violin. Captivated by the wood, the tools, and the luthier's expertise, she trained at the Bottega di Parma in Italy, then deepened her knowledge of Baroque instruments at West Dean College in England. She subsequently specialized in instrument restoration in London workshops while honing her skills.
In 2022, she set up her workshop in Ganges, , in a converted former hosiery factory.
Find Marie-Catherine in our South Cévennes destination magazine, Wild Encounter issue no. 5
What does your job consist of?
My work has many facets. The main, and most important, is the making of violins, violas, cellos, double basses, and viols da gamba. I also restore and maintain instruments, and rent them out to children and adults who want to learn to play music. I collaborate with the Vigan music school, taking care of their instruments and repairing, among other things, broken bows!
What motivated you to set up your business in the South Cévennes?
Upon returning to France in 2017, I opened my first workshop in Béziers. However, my partner and I had fallen in love with the region and enjoyed weekend getaways to the Gorges de la Vis, near Gorniès. Gradually, we decided to settle there and bought the old hosiery factory. After a year and a half of renovations to set up the workshop, we acquired our house and moved in permanently in 2022.
What are the steps involved in manufacturing an instrument?
The creation process varies depending on the instrument. It all begins with the choice of wood, an essential element since it influences the sound. In traditional instrument making, maple is used for the back, ribs, and neck, spruce for the top, and ebony for the fingerboard. For viols, other woods such as walnut or cherry may be preferred.
I begin with the back, which I plane and adjust to the desired thickness, a few millimeters. Next, I shape the ribs: these thin strips of wood, 1,5 mm thick, are bent while hot to conform to the instrument's shape. Then comes the carving of the top, which, unlike that of a guitar, has an arch. After hollowing out the interior to achieve the ideal thickness, I add the f-holes and the soundboard, then assemble the body by closing it up. The edges are then lowered and the purfling applied.
Then comes my favorite part: making the neck. On viols da gamba, the carved headstocks give the instrument a unique identity, a certain personality! A detail I particularly cherish. Finally, I finish with the fingerboard and tailpiece, made of maple with an ebony veneer, before applying the final varnish.
What events in the region offer opportunities to appreciate these instruments?
In the region I could mention three major festivals where you can appreciate these instruments: the Festival du Vigan, the Festival de l'Alto in Lasalle, in which I also participated, and the Festival Boulegan at l'Ostal in Saint-Jean-du-Gard.
Can we visit your workshop?
Of course! By appointment, Monday through Friday, I would be delighted to welcome you to my workshop. You can observe the various stages of instrument making, learn more about the woods used, and discuss the art of instrument making. Please feel free to contact me to arrange a visit!
T. Saved
T. Saved
T. Saved