Burgled cellist gets her instrument back
NewsThe French cellist Ophélie Gaillard, whose 1737 Goffriller was taken by housebreakers while her family were asleep at home, has been reunited with the instrument, and with two precious bows that were also taken. Three suspects have been arrested.
A grateful Ophélie writes: ‘On September 25, I was the victim of a home-jacking and my family was severely affected. The thefts of the Goffriller cello and my two personal bows was a trauma. I would like to thank each and every one of you who relayed the information and supported me through this ordeal. I would also like to thank the press and media who played a crucial role in this outcome. But I would also like to particularly thank the police and salute their constant commitment and efficiency. The cello and bows are in perfect condition and will be able to resonate and vibrate again. For the moment, I can breathe again, my family is reassured, and now I hope to be able to devote myself to my passion again. Thank you!’
Oh, fantastic!
Here’s another scary story that ended well. The General Kyd Stradivarius cello, on which Leo Stern played the first performance of the Dvorak concerto in 1896, now belongs to the LA Symphony Orchestra and the lucky first cellist gets to play the instrument. A few years ago the then lead cellist Peter Stumpf left it in the porch of his house on return from playing a concert and a casual thief took it. He walked a few yards down the road and opened the case to find a useless bit of wood which he left discarded on the pavement. Later that night a nurse found it and took it home, asking her boyfriend to cut the front to make elegant storage for their CDs. Just as he was about to start he heard an SOS on the radio asking after a lost cello. It was returned to an embarrassed Mr Stumpf and after minor repairs all was well.
Los Angeles PHILHARMONIC.