Opera singer seeks public's help to recover stolen Guarneri del Gesu violin

An aspiring Opera singer and once an ad hoc musician of the Cape Town Philharmonic  Orchestra and music teacher, is appealing to the public for help in locating a rare replica of the 18th century violin known as the Guarneri del Gesu "Vieuxtemps" of 1741, which was stolen nearly a year ago.

Police spokesperson, Wesley Twigg, said they were aware of the case but there were no new leads to pursue.

 “Anyone with any information is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111,” he said.

 Rosa van der Dussen, 32, from Netherlands, who has called Cape Town her home for the past four years, is currently completing her Masters in Opera singing at the University of Cape Town's College of Music and has played the violin her entire life.

More than a year ago, she was introduced to a local general practitioner known as Andre du Toit who built the replica of the Vieuxtemps of 1741 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Van der Dussen was allowed to borrow the violin and sadly nearly a year ago, it was stolen from her boyfriend’s home in Zonnebloem.

“The violin is estimated to be worth between R80 000 to R100 000,” Van der Dussen said.

“I was using a rental violin at the time and I was looking for a good violin and did not have the budget as it is very expensive.

“The musicians who knew I was looking for a violin and had tested the one made by the GP and they placed me in touch with him.

“He was happy that someone was willing to play it, for the wood and strings to settle and he allowed me to borrow it.

“I played on it for over a year.”

Van der Dussen said the violin was stolen after someone gained entry to the flat in June 2024.

“I was staying at my boyfriend’s home and had practiced in the living room and I had the balcony door open and it was a beautiful day and his niece who lives with him was also home,” she said. 

“I took a shower and when I came back into the living room, the violin was gone.

“The only explanation we could find was that someone had climbed over the garden wall and onto the balcony and came through the open door.

“I was very distraught and went to the police immediately.

“I went to all the pawn shops and emailed them pictures in case someone tries to sell it.

“I have been looking at Facebook market place etc.

“I felt awful because I knew what it meant to Andre and I had the honour of playing.”

The violin is light brown in colour with brown pegs and chin rest and black fingerboard. 

The label inside reads "Guarneri del Gesu, Vieuxtemps 1741.

It's in a black and brown case, which also contained a bow, Kun shoulder rest, spare Evah Pirazzi strings, loose sheet music, and three scores from the UCT Music Library

If you have information about the violin, please contact rosavddussen@gmail.com

Cape Argus