VIOLAS - RANGE ABOVE $5000
Violas ranging above $5000 are typically reserved for professional musicians or serious enthusiasts who demand the highest quality in tone and craftsmanship. These instruments often feature premium woods, expertly hand-carved by skilled luthiers, and are meticulously crafted to produce a rich, nuanced sound. Fine violas may feature exceptional tonal characteristics, projected sound, and increased playability, making them a worthwhile investment for experienced players. Instruments of this caliber are typically sought after for the depth of sound they produce, and for the elevated level of precision that they offer to the performer. While they require a significant financial investment, high-end violas almost always provide a superior playing experience.
V. Richelieu Violins & Violas
We enjoy building a diversity of models using a range of woods that give players a broad choice of sound and color.
EXPLORE PURCHASE & RENTAL OPTIONS
With every instrument we make, we pour in our hearts because for us, it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference. Every new instrument we make is the next step of our journey towards becoming the best version of ourselves, for you. With each product we sell or rent, we add a little hope and a lot of affection. Each instrument is carefully crafted by our luthiers, personalized by us, and proudly made in the USA.
Through dynamic purchase plans that include long-term financing, and rent with ownership programs, we join with our partners to make professional quality V. Richelieu instruments accessible and affordable.
Please note that this is not necessarily a complete list of all the violas we have in stock. If you are interested in a specific price range, please email kathy@vermontviolins.com or call (802) 862-0349 or set up an appointment.
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN STORE
HELMUTH O KELLER
Helmuth Keller is from one of the famed Philadelphia families of violin makers. Son-in-law of Martin Nebel – who worked for Wurlitzer in New York and then opened his own shop in Philadelphia – Keller came to Philadelphia from Germany after the Second World War to work for William Moennig & Son. In the early 1960s, he opened his own business which continues under his son, Stephen Keller.
The Helmuth O Keller & Son Viola showcases the legacy of the Keller family's lutherie expertise. With meticulous craftsmanship, this viola offers musicians a harmonious blend of rich tonal resonance and refined design, embodying a tradition of excellence passed down through generations of skilled instrument makers.
Call us at 802 862 0349 for pricing.
JONATHAN COOPER VIOLA
With almost three decades of violin making under his belt, Jonathan Cooper has been making violins for the world’s top players blending traditional violin making with a modern appreciation of tone that manifests into a violin of exquisite beauty. Drawing from his own experience as a champion fiddler, Jonathan works from his heart and endows each instrument with a tone that has brightened the halls of traditional music and classical players. Jonathan was trained at the Cremona School of Violin Making (Italy) and brings his craft to his small workshop overlooking Presumpscot Pond in Maine.This viola, 16” is a perfect example of his work. Warm, rich in tone with a supported C string that livens the Alto experience with fullness of voice that captures the essence of the viola sound. This viola was played by the original owner for many years. Cooper instruments are a delight for the ears and a fine investment as well.
Call us at 802 862 0349 for pricing.
CARRIE SCOGGINS VIOLA
Carrie Scoggins is a well-respected member of the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers and the Violin Society of America. She attended the Salt Lake City, Utah Violin Making School of America. She continued at the school until 1984 teaching varnish and set-up. In 1988, she and her husband opened their shop in Salt Lake City. She currently focuses only on the building of her own instruments.
This viola is crafted with dedication and precision, offering musicians an exceptional blend of tonal richness and artistic flair, reflecting her commitment to producing instruments of outstanding quality and playability.
Call us at 802 862 0349 for pricing.
PIERGIUSEPPE ESPOSTI VIOLA
Born in Cremona in 1952, Piergiuseppe Esposti studied at the International School of Violin Making, graduating in 1971. Piergiuseppe Esposti’s work represents the high quality of the new Cremonese tradition that evolved after WWII. He studied with two of the most influential Italian makers of the early and mid 1900s – Francesco Bissolotti and Pietro Sgarabotto– before setting up his own workshop in 1972. This viola, built in 1973 just after opening his own workshop, has a resonant, deep voice that responds quickly. It was played for many years by a professional violist in New York. It would be a good instrument for a young professional violist who is teaching and playing actively in an orchestra or chamber music environment.
Call us at 802 862 0349 for pricing.
DAVID DOUCET VIOLA
David Doucet grew up in a woodworking environment, his Dad was a carpenter. His love of music ranges from accordian to rock guitar to the violin. His passion for the violin led him to an apprenticeship in a violin shop and eventually a job in the Rafael Carraba violin shop in Seattle. David made instruments out of his personal workshop in Port Townsend, Washington, including this viola which was purchased by a professional player from Carraba’s Violin Shop. This 16 ½” viola has a beautiful, deep voice. The viola responds well into the upper positions and carries well in a quartet setting. We recommend this instrument for a conservatory or music major, or as a second instrument for a professional player.
Call us at 802 862 0349 for pricing.
GIOVANNI BATTA MORASSI VIOLA
Giovanni Battista Morassi was one of Italy’s most influential contemporary violin makers. He was born near Udine in 1934. His family was traditionally lumberjack & wood carvers and Giovanni attended woodworking school. Interested in violin making, he went on to win a scholarship to the Cremona International Violin Making School from 1951 to 1955. He came back to the school as an assistant teacher to Sgarabotto in the late 1950s, eventually becoming Maestro Lutao in 1971. The flowing lines of his Milanese style of making were developed from his time with Ornati & Garimberti and have been passed onto his students from the Cremona school. This particular viola has a beautiful, sonorous voice and represents the classical Cremonese school of violin-making he helped establish.
Call us at 802 862 0349 for pricing.
NICHOLAS VASICH VIOLIN
This violin is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship, featuring a carefully selected, even-grained, medium-fine spruce top plate for a vibrant tone. The two-piece back showcases stunningly figured maple with tight curls ascending from the center, creating a captivating visual dynamic. Adding a touch of elegance, the "Vasich" name is meticulously inlaid in raised wooden letters across the upper back. The neck and ribs are crafted from the same tightly curled maple, ensuring aesthetic and tonal harmony. A slightly opaque umber varnish over a golden ground, applied with subtle shading, enhances the instrument's natural beauty and depth. This combination of exquisite materials and craftsmanship results in a violin that is both a joy to play and a visual masterpiece.
Call us at 802 862 0349 for pricing.
V. RICHELIEU BY VERMONT VIOLINS
Our exclusive brand V. RICHELIEU™ by Vermont Violins offers handcrafted Violins & Violas made in Vermont by expert luthiers combining over 80 years of experience. Options available for Rent or Purchase.