Emily Sun named next custodian of ‘The Adelaide’ Guadagnini violin
Internationally acclaimed Australian violinist Emily Sun has been named the next custodian of ‘The Adelaide’ violin, crafted in Milan in 1753–57 by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini (1711–
1786).
Currently held in trust by UKARIA, the instrument was purchased by the people of South Australia in 1955 and is today valued at over US$1M. It has previously been played by an illustrious list of Australian violinists with a connection to South Australia, including Carmel Hakendorf, William Hennessy, Jane Peters, Sophie Rowell, Paul Wright and Natsuko Yoshimoto. UKARIA CEO Alison Beare formally handed over the instrument to Emily Sun on Saturday 18 November.
‘This Guadagnini has a “golden” sound,’ Sun said. ‘I feel very privileged to play on this beautiful instrument, during this fleeting period of its already long life and history. The tone is very warm, dark and rich; very even and homogenous across the registers.’
Read the full media release from UKARIA: Emily Sun The Adelaide – Worldwide Version 8Dec2023.
Emily’s recent tour as soloist playing the Beethoven violin concerto with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Asher Fisch, was reviewed by David Cusworth for The West Australian: “For all the delicacy there was a compelling intent in every note.. full-throated and virtuosic.. achingly beautiful sonority.. so complete was the timbre of Sun’s instrument that it could have been a voice, redolent of emotion beyond mere wood and strings.”
For the diary: Emily returns to tour in Australia in March-April and June-July 2024, as soloist with the Adelaide and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras, chamber performances at UKARIA, for Hayllar’s Music and Mountains festival in New Zealand, and Live At Yours, with a highly anticipated new album due for late 2024 release (ABC Classic). More details here.