A $3 million, centuries-old Italian violin is being played in Ottawa by a very gifted young musician Friday.
Canadian violinist Yi-Jia Susanne Hou and her Guarneri del Gesu violin are the feature attractions in a fundraising concert this Friday for Ottawa's Thirteen Strings orchestra.
Crafted in Italy and older than Mozart, the violin comes to life in the hands of Hou. She herself is considered one of the best violinists of her generation.
Many might remember Hou from her sold-out performance of The Red Violin in 2007.
Born in Shanghai, Hou grew up in Mississauga and studied at Juilliard. Hou has the 1729 Guarneri for a three-year loan, a gift she has not taken lightly.
"It has a life of its own and it has lived a long time before me and will live far beyond me," said Hou. "I feel like I'm called by a greater purpose, it's not just about me anymore."
There are only 100 del Gesu violins - which means "of Jesus" - in the world.
Peter Webster is a member of the Thirteen Strings, the 32-year-old Ottawa ensemble hosting Hou this time around.
"She's a stunning, amazing violinist and we're having a great time," he said.
The fundraiser will be held at 6 p.m. at Ottawa City Hall Friday, June 6. Tickets can be purchased at the Thirteen Strings website or by calling 613-738-7888.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Kimothy Walker
