Did you know the Canada Council for the Arts manages a collection of more than 20 string instruments totalling over $41 million in value? Known as the musical instrument bank, these violins, violas, cellos and bows date from the late 1600s to the early 1900s and bear the names Stradivari, Guarneri and Gagliano, among others. Every three years, musicians compete for the chance to borrow them.

Among the musicians currently in possession of these instruments, we recently invited 11 to our Montreal studios to give a demonstration.

Below, Nuné Melik presents her Carlo Ferdinando Landolfi violin, c. 1750, valued at $375,000 and on loan from benefactor Helen Mailer. She plays Apricot Tree by Komitas.

Melik recently began a doctorate in music degree at McGill's Schulich School of Music, studying with OSM concertmaster Andrew Wan.

In September, she made her debut at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium playing the Violin Concerto by Sibelius with the Senior Concert Orchestra of New York. Upcoming performances include lecture recitals at Montreal's Gora Gallery, her first doctoral recital at Pollack Hall and an appearance as soloist with Miami Chamber Orchestra.

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