We have received the following request from the violinist Svetlana Makarova:

The Gianbatista Guadagnini of my husband, Pavel Vernikov, was stolen almost from his hands on Thursday at 17.30 in a train in Geneva. If you could help spreading this information we would be very appreciated.

The violin, a 1747 Giovanni Battista Guadagnini made at Piacenza, was stolen in the railway station of Geneva.

Vernikov is Professor at Vienna University and HEMu de Lausanne, Artistic Director of Sion Music Festival.

Please contact Svetlana or Pavel via Facebook if you have information.

UPDATE: New details are emerging of the incident. Pavel Vernikov was preparing to change trains at Geneva. The train was crowded, with many passengers entering and leaving. As Pavel got up to retrieve his violin case, he was blocked by a very large man. While he tried to reach around him, a wallet and documents were stolen from his pocket. By the time the man moved, the violin was gone.

In addition to the precious Guadagnini, Pavel lost four bows.