Today, the US-born artist is in charge of an ice orchestra of local musicians playing a series of concerts at sub-zero temperatures in a vast, custom-built igloo high in the Italian Alps.

Stringed instruments have a long history in folk music, but the violin became more standardized after it went to court. Made by Andrea Amati for the French king Charles IX, this violin dates to 1564.

11. Violoncello by Gennaro Galiano. Italian luthiers are known the most in the world. Their instruments have the highest quality, best sound, and highest prices.

National Symphony Orchestra Music Director Gianandrea Noseda is reshaping the ensemble's sound with the help of 17th and 18th century instruments he purchased secretly.

Word of the Week: Symphony. And the fascinating origins of orchestral instruments and their names, from strings to ... “Vitula” and “vitulari” evolved to Italian “viuola” and then Italian “violino” — ...