"I met Ornella very recently, but must say that meeting changed my life. Finally I have found a luthier I was looking for a very long time! Ornella is not only a great luthier, full of professionalism, she’s also the honest, friendly person who you immediately feel good with .Her heart beats for violin and she is full of passion for it. As the concert violinist I truly recommend Ornella as the luthier. If you look for the excellent one, that’s her. The best in town, no doubts!!"
MICHAL BUCZKOWSKI - violin player
"It has been love at first sight. I tried this wonderful model, inspired to Guarneri del Gesu for the first time after the last coat of varnish and I immediately understood the great potential: rich sound, fully dramatic and vibrants colors.
In many aspects it is so close to Caravaggio's painting, almost as if it wanted to reproduce his pasty brushstrokes and subdued light."
PIERLUIGI DI COSOLA - violin player
"This viola 42 - the Ornella Ceci no. 25 - is different from all the other violas I tried over the last 30 years, and this is the one I was looking for!
Such a rich, deep and powerful sound and such a pleasure to play. It gives everything I want and even more…I learn from this instrument. And I love the Capicchioni-inspired model, just like the beautiful flamed wood and honey-like varnish. A wonderful instrument!"
JOOST HONSELAAR - viola player
"I purchased my Stradivari "Sleeping Beauty" model violin from Ornella Ceci and after a year of anxious waiting, I was finally able to hold it in my hands. It was totally worth it: powerful and elegant sound, thin neck, suitable for my tapered hand. For the first time a tool that adapts to me and not vice versa. Advised!"
MAURA LOSPALLUTI - violin student at Conservatory of Bari (IT)
"I have known Ornella Ceci for several years and I have always noticed in her a great professionalism and dedication in her work. I consider her as a luthier of great value, very knowledgeable in the construction and set up of bowed instruments. Personally she worked with extreme precision on the restoration and cracks of my antique French bows."
GABRIELE CECI - concertmaster Petruzzelli Orchestra of Bari (IT)
"I purchased Ornella Ceci's viola a few years ago. I think I was really lucky: an instrument still in progress was then created based on my requests and my tastes! It is a 40.5 cm viola, it is really comfortable and easy to handle both for the neck and the soundboard. Since it is a new instrument, the sound produced is really excellent for an instrument still in the process of being set up.
I think that as time goes by it will improve visibly just as it has happened in these last years and a little more."
ANNALISA SALVEMINI - viola player
"I have had the pleasure of playing an Ornella Ceci Viola since 2011, the year the instrument was built. Commissioned to the talented luthier as my first instrument, it was entirely designed and created based on my physical physiognomy, as regards the choice of size and my taste for the choice of paint tones. The instrument, with a 40.5 cm body, presents a warm sound in the medium-low range and a very bright sound in the high range."
PAMELA ROSATO - viola player
"I met Ornella in Bari and immediately understood that I was dealing with an inspired, dedicated and talented woman.
That is why I without any hesitation entrusted my instrument, a French Mirecourt cello, to her for a thorough restoration.
The instrument was in a terrible condition: years ago it had been broken into several pieces after falling on a stone floor and put together by a less talented Italian violin maker. The sound had all but disappeared and there were cracks in several places. Because Ornella was interested in a master course in the Netherlands, I put her in touch with my friend Guust François, whom I already knew as a great professional.
They worked on it together for a few months and delivered an excellent performance. My cello looks great again and - even more importantly: it sounds like never before."
FRANS MUNSTER - cello player
"Very satisfied with the result of the adjustments that Ornella made to my very old violin from 1730. She did this in a very professional manner and she explained to me every step she was going to take to improve the sound of my instrument. She takes a well-considered approach to this and this gives a safe and reliable feeling. I highly recommend her to have your instrument repaired, to have your bow haired and of course to try her beautifully built violins."
FIONA VAN IERSEL - violin player
"Ornella has repaired my cello in a highly professional way. She is passioned, honest and pragmatic and immediately gains your trust. I don't regret my decision to knock at her door. Thank you Ornella, keep on the good work!"
NATALIA SILVIS - cello player