A professional violinist, David López Ibáñez, lost a cherished 285-year-old violin valued at around $200,000 during a night out. The violin, crafted in 1740, was stolen while he dined with friends, prompting an appeal from London police for assistance in identifying the suspect.
London Police Seek Leads in the Theft of Priceless 18th Century Violin
London Police Seek Leads in the Theft of Priceless 18th Century Violin
Authorities in London are looking for help identifying the thief behind the recent theft of a $200,000 violin that was taken from a musician in a pub.
On a chilly February evening, professional violinist David López Ibáñez set out for what he thought would be a regular night. After a rehearsal with the Philharmonia orchestra in London, the 31-year-old musician sought the comfort of a nearby pub with a friend. Setting his violin case beside him on a bench, he enjoyed a meal unaware of the lurking danger around him.
Suddenly, without his notice, an individual snatched the violin case, concealing it beneath a beige coat, and fled the scene. "I stood up in disbelief," Mr. López Ibáñez recounted, recalling the moment he realized his treasured instrument was gone. "It had been my companion for eight years, carrying stories from performances around the world."
For a musician, a violin transcends mere property; it is an extension of oneself. This particular instrument, crafted by the esteemed Lorenzo Carcassi in Florence in 1740, carries a hefty price tag of over 150,000 pounds (approximately $200,000).
"I let my guard down for just a moment," lamented Mr. López Ibáñez as he described the unbearable feeling of loss. "It felt as if the world was collapsing around me."
Now, the Metropolitan Police are urging the public to provide any information that could lead to the identification and capture of the thief responsible for this heart-wrenching theft.
