Irene Viola – Guarnieri Model

Viola Irene Guarnieri Liuteria Luca Zerilli 1

The viola “Irene” by Luca Zerilli is one of those violas that don’t just play: they tell a story, drawing inspiration from the character and sound of Guarneri-style violas.
It speaks of the hand of a luthier who leaves nothing to chance — who chooses spruce the way a sommelier evaluates a rare wine, who bends Balkan maple as if it were silk, and who treats every vibration as something sacred.

The top plate, seasoned for years in his workshop, isn’t just a piece of wood: it’s an archive of time, silence and sonic potential. The antiqued varnish isn’t a decorative whim — it’s character. It’s experience. It’s taste.

The “Irene” is a viola with a deep, enveloping timbre, designed for the musician who demands an instrument capable of filling a concert hall… yet also whispering in its most intimate passages. A serious, elegant and deeply expressive companion.

Fotogallery

Technical Specs

Measurements

  • Body length: 40 cm
  • Upper bout: 18.3 cm
  • Middle bout: 12 cm
  • Lower bout: 22.4 cm

Materials & Construction

  • Top Plate: Italian Alpine spruce, long-seasoned at Liuteria Zerilli.
    Straight, even grain selected for tonal response and stiffness.
  • Back: Two-piece Balkan maple with broad, deep flame.
  • Fittings: Black wood with boxwood inlays, crafted by Bogaro & Clemente (Italy).
  • Varnish: Antiqued finish, elegant and transparent, designed to enhance grain and acoustic response.

Sound Characteristics

  • Full, warm and resonant tone
  • Immediate and even response
  • Excellent projection, ideal for solo and orchestral repertoire
  • Remarkable balance between bass depth and treble clarity