Synopsis

Across more than three centuries, a mysteriously red violin passes from its creation in Cremona in 1681 through Vienna, Oxford, Shanghai, and Montreal. Each new owner is transformed by the instrument's extraordinary sound and aura, while its history accumulates stories of obsession, loss, and survival. At a Montreal auction, appraiser Charles Morritz tries to identify the violin and uncover the secret behind its color.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film was inspired by the real-life 1720 Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius, an unusually red instrument now associated with violinist Elizabeth Pitcairn.

• Unlike the film's story, the real violin is colored by burgundy-toned varnish, not human blood. Stradivari used red varnish on several instruments during his so-called Golden Period.

• The story moves through five countries and uses the language appropriate to each setting, including Italian, German, French, English, and Mandarin.

• The film's score was written by John Corigliano and won the Academy Award for Best Original Score at the 72nd Academy Awards in 2000.

• Violin solos for the soundtrack were performed by Joshua Bell, whose contribution helped give the fictional instrument its musical voice.

• Corigliano later developed several concert works from the score, including a Chaconne, a suite, solo violin caprices, and a violin concerto.

• An international co-production involving Canada, Italy, and the United Kingdom, the film was shot in locations including Cremona, Vienna, Oxford, Shanghai, and Montreal.

• The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September 1998 and became one of the more ambitious and expensive Canadian productions of its era.