Leonhard plays a fine violin by Antonio Stradivari, Cremona 1683, known as the “ex Petherick” — a generous loan from a member of the Stretton Society.

Built on a model associated with Stradivari’s Golden Period, the 1683 “ex Petherick” features a luminous golden-yellow varnish, a one-piece back of finely figured maple, and a top of medium, even grain.

The violin was formerly owned by George Hart and, in 1900, passed to Horace Petherick — writer, illustrator, and one of the leading violin experts of his time. It subsequently remained in a private family collection and was not played for over 70 years.

After decades of silence, the instrument has returned to the concert stage with Leonhard, who has established a close artistic relationship with the violin.