"An instrument to a musician is way more than an object, it's more of a companion," says classical violinist David Lopez Ibanez, whose 18th Century violin was stolen in February. The instrument, which is worth more than £150,000, was stolen from a north London pub, a moment that Mr Ibanez described as "a musician's worst nightmare". Mr Ibanez, who is a member of London's Philharmonia Orchestra, said the violin was his "voice". "It's the loss and the grief that it takes a while to get over. I don't think I have got over it yet. You have to search for other tools to try and find your sound back but obviously it was linked to that instrument." The violin was produced in Florence in 1740 by renowned instrument maker Lorenzo Carcassi. It was stolen on the evening of 18 February from The Marquess Tavern on Canonbury Street in Islington, while Mr Ibanez was having dinner with a friend. Mr Ibanez reported the theft to the Met Police that evening. "The violin was always right next to me, and then when we were about to leave, it wasn't," Mr Ibanez said. "It's entirely heartbreaking. "I had it for eight years prior to the theft and it's seen me grow through college, my first professional auditions, lots of highs and lows, bad moments and good moments. "An instrument to a musician is way more than an object, it's more of a companion. "It comes with you everywhere around the world and it allows you to communicate something greater. "It becomes your voice really, so aside of the actual monetary value of it, to me it really was priceless." Mr Ibanez explained how the violin was bought for him to play by a German businessman, who he said was "an amazing music lover". "He'd seen a video of me playing and decided to buy the instrument for me to play, which is very generous of of him," he added. "That's the reality of most classical musicians. "These things are so incredibly valuable it would be very hard to actually own one, so we do rely on these people's generosity." Mr Ibanez said he was still trying to deal with the loss of the instrument. "I'm still trying my best to to get up there and play music the best way I can, but obviously you have to deal with all that's inside and all the loss." The violin has a unique feature - a small heart-shaped cut-out on the back of the scroll at the top of the instrument. "If people at home have seen a violin of this description in a pawn shop, in a secondhand shop, wherever, antiques, markets, if they have purchased it, please do the right thing and bring it forward," Mr Ibanez said. "But if you have seen it, get in touch with the police. "The violin has a hole in the shape of a heart in the scroll. That's a very distinctive feature, it doesn't come up often, it's very rare." The Met has said it is working hard to try and locate the suspect and has appealed for witnesses. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London onSoundsand follow BBC London onFacebook,XandInstagram. Send your story ideas tohello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk
Stolen £150,000 violin was my voice, says musician
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"Classical Violinist David Lopez Ibanez Appeals for Help After Theft of £150,000 Instrument"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
David Lopez Ibanez, a classical violinist and member of London's Philharmonia Orchestra, recently experienced the devastating theft of his prized 18th Century violin, valued at over £150,000. The incident occurred on February 18 at The Marquess Tavern in Islington, north London, while Mr. Ibanez was dining with a friend. He described the moment of discovering the violin's absence as 'a musician's worst nightmare,' emphasizing the deep emotional connection he has with the instrument. Mr. Ibanez referred to the violin as his 'voice,' stating that the loss has been profoundly challenging for him, and he has not yet fully come to terms with it. The violin, crafted in 1740 by the esteemed luthier Lorenzo Carcassi, was not just a tool for performance; it was a companion that accompanied him through significant milestones in his music career, including college and professional auditions. He expressed the sentiment that a musician's instrument transcends its physical value, as it embodies their artistic expression and personal journey.
The violin was a gift from a generous German businessman who had been impressed by Mr. Ibanez's talent after watching a video of him playing. This highlights the financial challenges faced by many classical musicians who often rely on the goodwill of patrons to access high-quality instruments. In his ongoing struggle to cope with the loss, Mr. Ibanez has urged the public to be vigilant for his stolen violin, noting its distinctive heart-shaped cut-out on the back of the scroll. He has appealed to anyone who may have seen the instrument in pawn shops or secondhand stores to come forward. The Metropolitan Police are actively investigating the theft and are seeking witnesses to help recover the stolen violin, which holds immense personal significance for Mr. Ibanez beyond its monetary worth.
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