Marco Nolli was born in Cremona on November 3rd, 1964. He studied at the “A. Stradivari International School of Violinmaking” and obtained his diploma as a Master Violinmaker in 1983 under the guidance of Giorgio Scolari and Stefano Conia.

Then he apprenticed in the workshop of Master Scolari, where he developed his personal style.

In that same period he continued his musical studies (which he began at an early age) in trumpet, double bass, voice, harmony and conducting. He currently conducts the “Fanfara dei Bersaglieri”, of Cremona. He teaches courses in construction and set-up of bowed string instruments at the “A. Stradivari” Institute.

He has participated with success at important violinmaking competitions both in Italy and abroad and has been awarded numerous prizes and honors. These include the following:

1987, Silver medal at the Baveno violinmaking competition (doublebass)
1988, Gold medal at the “A. Stradivari” international violin competition of Cremona (doublebass)
1988, Silver medal at the Bagnacavallo competition (doublebass)
1992, Silver medal at the Bagnacavallo competition (viola)
1992, Silver medal at the Bagnacavallo competition (cello)
1993, Bronze medal at the Baveno violinmaking competition (doublebass)
1994, First prize at the “A. Stradivari” international competition of Cremona (doublebass)

1994, Special prize at the “A. Stradivari” international competition of Cremona (doublebass)
2003, Silver medal (double bass) at the “A. Stradivari” international competition of Cremona (first prize not awarded)
2003, Bronze medal (double bass) at the “A. Stradivari” international competition of Cremona
2012, Gold medal (double bass) at the “A. Stradivari” Triennial violinmaking competition of Cremona and the “P. Balzarini” special gold medal prize for the Cremonese maker with the best workmanship

Today his instruments are sought after by talented Italian and foreign musicians and by international orchestras, who appreciate both the workmanship and the acoustic qualities of his works. These include: Orchestra Sinfonica NDR of Hamburg (Germany), Cologne Chamber Orchestra (Germany), Suisse, Romande (Switzerland), Lausanne Symphony Orchestra (Switzerland), St. Gallen Symphony Orchestra (Switzerland), Valencia Orchestra (Spain), Nagoya Orchestra (Japan), Sapporo Symphony Orchestra (Japan), Beijing Symphony Orchestra (China), Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (USA), Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra (USA), Orchestra dell’Aquila (Italy),Conservatoire National de Chambery (France), Walter Stauffer Foundation Cremona (Italy), Quintetto Bottesini (Italy), Saragoza Conservatory (Spain), Geneva Conservatory (Switzerland), Conservatorio “V. Bellini” Catania (Italy), and Orchestra Filarmonica della Scala (Italy).

He collaborates closely with Franco Petracchi, who commissioned him to make a copy of his instrument. In addition to making violins, violas, cellos and doublebasses he also make copies of antique instruments and does restoration.