On the morning of September 18, a giant violin carrying four musicians appeared on the Grand Canal of Venice (Italy), to the enthusiastic response of the people - the public.
The violin boat named "Noah's Violin" is about 12 meters long, made from many different types of wood. The boat has an environmentally friendly electric motor to move on the water. The manufacturer said that the successful launch of this violin boat is a sign of recovery for the tourist city of Venice, after a difficult time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The idea was conceived by artist Livio De Marchi, a resident of Venice. He said: "The name 'Noah's Violin' carries a message of recovery after the storm, and is also a way to promote the city's art, culture and music."
According to those involved in the boat’s construction, the project has revived the enthusiasm of the shipyard on Giudecca Island after the darkest days of the pandemic. Many private yards, upon hearing the idea, even offered to help complete the boat. “The boat has brought us together more. We have done it with all our hearts,” said one boatbuilder.
The violin’s journey was smooth sailing, although De Marchi was a little nervous every time the neck wobbled or the music flew off its pedestal. Fortunately, the musicians kept their feet firmly planted on the instrument to play, and they still delivered flawless performances.
Talking about her feelings at the special “stage”, Caterina Camozzi, a musician on the boat said: “Playing music amidst the wind and waves was a memorable challenge for me”. Cellist Tiziana Gasparoni shared: “As a Venetian and a musician, this was the most emotional experience of my life”.
Escorted by a fleet of gondolas, sandoli, motor boats and more, the violin boat "Noah's Violin" sails through the canals of Venice for about an hour, from City Hall to Rialto Bridge, the Customs House and La Salute Church. During that time, visitors gather on the bridges, along the banks of the Grand Canal and on other small boats to watch a unique concert, featuring many works by composers such as Bach and Schubert.
After docking, the production team held a brief ceremony attended by the crew members, their families and friends. During the ceremony, a priest congratulated the violin boat on its success and hoped that this special boat "will travel around the world carrying a message of hope." The producer also said that the violin received a lot of attention from all over Italy and museums in China.
