This 2018 Cesare Valli viola, handmade in Beijing for Claire Givens Violins, is a fine example of an instrument superbly crafted to our exacting standards. This instrument is easy to play, and has wonderful depth, resonance and character. The tonal quality is complex and subtle, offering a deeply rich lower voice that exhibits a dark evenness of sound, which is complemented by the sweet yet warm lyricism of the upper register. Marked with lovely red varnish, the Cesare Valli viola is ideally suited for the advancing student violist.