Among the Athens Conservatoire’s historical instruments are some that date from the 19th century, like this historical double bass. Inside the instrument, there is a label containing valuable information about its history. The label appears to have been placed in 1981 by the repairer, Kyriakos Mavridis, who carried out extensive repairs and also retouched earlier ones, as he himself notes. The label includes details of previous repairs, which Mavridis found in a handwritten note – most likely another label – inside the instrument. The earliest repair was carried out in April 1899 in Egypt by a technician named [O] Macichi, while, before arriving in Egypt, the instrument had most likely been in Odessa. The next two repairs also took place in Egypt, specifically in Alexandria, on December 7, 1941, and in 1947, by an amateur technician – but certainly a musician – named Kefálas or Kefalás. The most recent recorded repair was done by the barely legible L. Psillas or Psillakis, likely in Athens.
Among the Athens Conservatoire’s historical instruments are some that date from the 19th century, like this historical double bass. Inside the instrument, there is a label containing valuable information about its history. The label appears to have been placed in 1981 by the repairer, Kyriakos Mavridis, who carried out extensive repairs and also retouched earlier ones, as he himself notes. The label includes details of previous repairs, which Mavridis found in a handwritten note – most likely another label – inside the instrument. The earliest repair was carried out in April 1899 in Egypt by a technician named [O] Macichi, while, before arriving in Egypt, the instrument had most likely been in Odessa. The next two repairs also took place in Egypt, specifically in Alexandria, on December 7, 1941, and in 1947, by an amateur technician – but certainly a musician – named Kefálas or Kefalás. The most recent recorded repair was done by the barely legible L. Psillas or Psillakis, likely in Athens.