Show strad had rivals although stradivarius is cre monas greatest star the town claims other noted violin makers among them is stradivarius teacher nicolo nicole amati who set up his workshop in cremona about 1620 the favorite instrument of the violinist was a violin by giuseppe guarinieri Gua ranieri cremona cremona still makes musical instruments st especially violins and pianos it also manufactures more prosaic products such as bricks of special construction used in american skyscrapers cremona was founded by the romans in B C but was razed by vespasian in 70 A D and again in by the goths goehs |