VC Artist Johan Dalene Loaned 1725 Stradivarius "Duke of Cambridge" Violin

The instrument has also been played by the composer Louis Spohr and the American virtuoso Camilla Wicks

Swedish-Norwegian violinist and VC Artist Johan Dalene will now play on the 1725 "Duke of Cambridge, Bott, Spohr" Stradivarius violin, following a generous loan from Norway's Anders Sveaas Charitable Foundation (ASAF).

The instrument has been owned by a number of distinguished players, including the composer Louis Spohr. In the twentieth century, it was played by the American violinist Camilla Wicks, who was one of the first female violinists to establish an international solo profile.

Wicks' father Ingvald was born in Norway, and ASAF noted that it was particularly poignant for the violin to have found its way back to a Norwegian player in Dalene.

"It's an amazing instrument with brilliance, power, and also a gorgeous warm sound," Johan told The Violin Channel. "I've only had the violin for a few days but have already fallen completely in love with it and I can't wait to explore all its colours and possibilities"

Johan Dalen and Norwegian violinist Peter Herresthal, who is also the ASAF's Artistic Director

The winner of the Norwegian Soloist Prize and the prestigious Carl Nielsen Competition, Johan Dalene is currently enjoying a flourishing solo career. In the coming seasons, he will appear with all the major Scandinavian orchestras, as well as with the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, the Czech Philharmonic, and the Konzerthausorchester Berlin.

He was selected as a European Concert Hall Organization Rising Star for the 2021/22 season and was also a BBC New Generation Artist between 2019 and 2021.

A student of Janine Jansen and Per Enoksson at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, Johan served as the Artist-in-Residence of the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra in its 2020/2021 season.