Since I was a student at Juilliard School, Carlos Arcieri took care of my violin, including repairs, adjustments, and cleaning.  He even took the time to make a mold from my chin rest, which is an old Hill that no longer exists, but with this mold I could duplicate it.  Then Giancarlo started to work with Carlos.  It was such a beautiful sight, father and son working together, even though sometimes they would argue.  But most of the time Carlos helped Giancarlo to become his own master luthier.  It is reassuring that the Wurlitzer/Sacconi tradition continues to the younger generation.  One of my students bought his violin as a student at Mannes Prep and now he is playing in the Antwerp Opera Orchestra.  

    I love playing Giancarlo's viola because it's so lively, with outstanding projection, and it's super responsive to me!!  My husband and I saw this viola frequently in its NY studio as it neared its completion.  The moment it finished I played it and could not put it down.  We nicknamed the viola " Turbo" because of its surprising power for a relatively small instrument.  It's priceless to have extra power when it is needed.  The viola had a powerful C string from the very beginning which is unusual for a new instrument yet all the clarity was already there also.  Above all this Viola is so much fun to play.

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                                                                                      -Eriko Sato