The sounds of the Lion's Fiddle have captivated Helena Uttley from the moment she first heard it at a music festival. She was told that it was an Italian instrument, named after its former Russian owner. Determined to learn all she can about its origins and the stories contained within the instrument's fragile wooden body, she travels to Cremona, the birthplace of Italian violin making. This is the beginning of a fascinating journey, the end of which the author could not have foreseen. Making its way from dusty workshops, through the gloom of Alpine forests, the coolness of Venetian churches, the splendor of the Florentine courtyard and the diversity of the Russian flea market, “Lion’s Violin” takes us from the heart of Italian culture to the farthest corners of Europe. The story of old violin makers and modern scientists, princes and orphans, musicians, composers and travelers develops into a poignant reflection on the power of objects, stories and music to shape the lives of individuals and create entire cultures.