Federico Grandi, started studying violin in 1986 under the guidance of William Bignami, member of the “Teatro comunale di Bologna” orchestra and son of the well-known lute maker Otello Bignami.
In 1999 he got the conservatoire diploma in violin under the guidance of Giovanni Adamo and gradually started an activity of collaboration with several italian orchestras, among which the orchestra of “Teatro comunale di Bologna”.
His interest in lute-making originates from his being constantly in contact with any kind of instruments, as well as from the memories of the visits to the house of Otello Bignami he made a few years before his death , when he was still a child.
Since 2005 he has worked under the guidance of Pietro Trimboli, one of the most outstanding lute-makers in Bologna and Bignami’s devote follower.
Trimboli is an irreplaceable teacher thanks to his experience in the art of making violins, violas and cellos – as well as being a very appreciated restorer by instrumentalist and collectors.
In 2008 he got a degree in “Conservazione dei beni culturali” from the university of Bologna with a thesis about lute-making.
His instruments have many distinctive features typical of the modern bolognese lute-making, among which the typical dark red varnish.