The Monzino House has been active since 1750 in the production and distribution of musical instruments. This long tradition strongly inspired the five Monzino siblings towards the responsibility of sharing with the community the "experience, competence and the acquired culture in the musical field of the Family" up to today.  This was realized on June, 1999 with the creation of the "Foundation Antonio Carl Monzino."  On that occasion, Antonio Monzino has donated to the Civic Museum of Musical Instruments of the Sforzesco Castle of Milan, a private collection of 79 antique musical instruments from the late 1600's to 1930, for giving to all and especially to the young generations the opportunity to admire what the human talent can construct.

THE FAMILY MONZINO: Over two centuries of luthiery in Milan

Antonio Monzino I (1730-1800) founded the House around 1750 in Milan.  In the laboratory (workshop), besides his own production, a lively business activity was born.  Under management by his son Giacomo Antonio Monzino II (1772- 1854) the company's acitivities in handcrafted instrument activity were integrated with the selling of strings, antique accessories and instruments.  A master of the violin and guitar, besides being a composer, Giacomo Antonio had many contacts with musicians of the era, and started the activity of music editor.  Antonio Giacomo Monzino IV (1874-1929) introduced new machinery for the working of wood and the fabrication of the wound strings continuing in the tradition of luthiery with the best Italian artists of the age.  He furthermore created the "Circle of the Mandolinists" and continued with successful activity in the publishing field. Antonio Monzino V (1885-1918) collaborated effectively within the family enterprise but unfortunately died young, at 32 years old, from a disease contracted in the war.  With Antonio Carlo Monzino VI (1909-) the diversification that the times demanded was put into effect through integration of the handcraft activity with the commercialization of a large range of Italian and foreign instruments.  Finally, Antonio Monzino VII (1938-) collected the spiritual inheritance of the family - believing in music as an essential componenet of an increased harmonious cultural.  He created for this scope the Foundation Antonio Carlo Monzino, for the spread of education through music.