Profile

Marco Osio was born in Manerbio (Brescia) on December 22, 1976.
In 1990, he enrolled at the International School of Violin Making in Cremona, where he graduated in 1994 under the guidance of Maestro Giorgio Scolari. He later met Gio Batta Morassi, a leading figure in the revival of contemporary Cremonese violin making, and his son Simeone, becoming their apprentice. Under their mentorship, Marco refined his craftsmanship and stylistic approach to string instrument making.

Marco creates violins, violas, and cellos inspired by the classic Cremonese models of Stradivari, Amati, and Guarneri, while also using the 1929 Ornati model for violins. He works exclusively with carefully selected, well-seasoned woods and adopts varnishes made of alcohol and oil in warm orange-brown tones with a golden undertone. These varnishes are the result of his personal research, aimed at achieving the perfect balance of aesthetics, durability, and acoustic performance.

Awards and recognitions

Marco has participated successfully in numerous prestigious violin-making competitions, earning awards and honors:

• 1999: Third prize with a cello at the National Competition of Baveno (Italy).

• 2001: First prize with a violin and second prize with a viola at the National Competition of Baveno (Italy).

• 2001: Finalist with a violin at the International Wieniawski Competition in Poznan (Poland).

• 2002: Third prize and special award for craftsmanship with a viola at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow (Russia).

• 2003: Honorable mention with a viola at the Triennale Competition of Cremona (Italy).

• 2004: Fourth place and the Crystal Cup for the best luthier under 30 with a violin at the International Metelka Competition in Nachod (Czech Republic).

• 2005: Fourth place and special award with a viola at the International Competition of Mittenwald (Germany).

• 2006: Finalist with a violin at the International Arvenzis Competition in Dolny Kubin (Slovakia).

• 2006: Honorable mention with a viola at the Triennale Competition of Cremona (Italy).

• 2007: Second place and special award for the best technical-artistic instrument with a viola at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow (Russia).

• 2008: Third prize with a violin at the International Metelka Competition in Nachod (Czech Republic).

• 2009: Second prize with a viola at the European Eufonia Competition (Sofia-Brussels).

• 2011: First prize and special award for the best craftsmanship with a violin at the International Arvenzis Competition in Dolny Kubin (Slovakia).

• 2012: Fourth place and special award for personality and classic Italian style with a viola at the Triennale Competition of Cremona (Italy).

• 2017: First prize and gold medal with a viola at the International Competition of Malta.

• 2021: Honorable mention with a viola at the Triennale Competition of Cremona (Italy).

Professional activities and collaborations

From 2012 to 2013 and 2014 to 2015, Marco taught alongside Maestro Luca Primon in a specialized masterclass on the construction and acoustic optimization of string instruments, held in Cremona.

In 2013 and 2018, he served as a jury member at the International Violino Arvenzis Competition in Dolny Kubin (Slovakia).

Marco is a member of the Associazione Liutaria Italiana (A.L.I.), and his instruments are played worldwide, particularly in China, Japan, Taiwan, and the United States.