NOVELLO, VALENTINO, Venezia, about the middle of 18th Century.
NOVELLO, MARCO ANTONIO, Venezia, same date. Both these makers are in good esteem.
O.
OBUE, BARTOLOMEO, Verona.
ODOARDI, GUISEPPE, early 18th Century.
OTT, JEAN, Nuremberg. Lute maker, 15th Century.
OTTO, JACOB AUGUSTUS, born at Gotha, 1762, died 1830. Author of the celebrated Book on the Construction of the Violin. He made some good instruments which, in his book he says he "proved" by a machine which played them in thirds, fourths, and fifths for a continued period, thus mellowing and perfecting the tone. We do not believe in this doctrine. From all past experience, there can be no doubt that whatever pains or trouble a maker may take to bring his instruments, while new, to bear the character of old, his labour is quite useless. There is no instance of an instrument becoming famous for its fine tone till it had attained a good old age. Some modern makers use chemical means to mature their violins; but this process is utterly destructive to them, as they become quite rotten through the action of the acid after a lapse of years. Time alone can ripen and mellow all musical instruments made of wood, the violin and the organ especially.
P.
PANORMO, VINCENZIO, born near Palermo, 1734. He appears to have left his native place, and after a temporary sojourn in several towns came to England about 1772, and died in 1813. He was an excellent artiste. His instruments are carefully constructed on Cremona models, and possess a fine tone. He made a few violoncellos which are highly prized, their tone being extremely rich and powerful. They are of the Stradiuarius pattern, mostly of handsome maple for the back and ribs. All his instruments are of a good Italian quality of tone, and are among those which are rising in value as the great masters become rarer and dearer.
PANORMO, JOSEPH, son of Vincenzio, also a good workman.