• Joan has done substancial restoration work on both my antique Italian 'modern' violin and my contemporany baroque violin. Both cameback noticeable improved in openess and fluidity of sound; and in both cases he found thoughtful and well-research solutions to suit the unique properties of each instrument, consulting me where relevant at various points of decision-making. I feel very fortunate to have a luthier of his calibre in town, whose skill, knowdlege, and integrity I know I can trust and who brings such joy to his craft and community.

    – Benjamin Shute. Associate teacher (violin, chamber music, composition), University of St. Andrews.

    Former leader, Boston Chamber Orchestra

  • Joan Olivella gave my violin a full service. This included new pegs, a new bridge and soundpost, new tailgut, shooting the fingerboard, two repairs to the body of the instrument and a general clean as well as giving my bow a rehair. The result has been splendid. The violin is more vibrant overall plays with a more even tone and is more responsive especially in the lower dynamic range. Joan was generous with his time and was careful to find out exactly what I was looking for in the work he carried out. I am also very happy with the rehair. I purchased one of his violins, inspired by the Amati Alard model 1649. It is a beautifully made instrument, also with a very even tone over the four strings. It is very comfortable to hold and play. I found the sound rich in the lower register and both sweet and focused in the upper register. I recommend Joan Olivella as luthier without reservation.

    – Andrew Lees. Formally violist and 2nd violin of the Roxburgh Quartet, currently string coordinator at St. Andrew’s University

  • I first had the pleasure of meeting Joan in the beautiful historic Abbot House, Dunfermline when he agreed to give my much- loved Antonio Carlo Monzino violin a service, after a careful assessment and consultation, he replaced the bridge, soundpost and tailgut. The fingerboard needed shooting. When I collected my Monzino I was most impressed by how much better it sounded and how easier it was to navigate the gymnastics required to play demanding technical work. Joan asked me to play his recently finished violin after the “Huberman” Stradivari. I felt in love with it at first sight…not only with how it looks (beautiful) with the gorgeous golden light coming through the red/orange varnish…superb! but how it feels to play and most importantly how it sounds. The sound is absolutely superb… from the moment the bow touches the string the violin produces a rich, resonant brilliant ringing sound which accomodates whatever nuance I want to express. This violin will achieve every requirement from soft, delicate sounds to more soloistic repertoire and everything in between. I loved it so much I just knew it had to come home with me and I am now the proud owner of Joan’s Huberman! I highly recommend Joan Zoroa Olivella as a highly skilled luthier for any work to your string instruments and most of all if you are looking to commission a beautiful looking instrument made with excellent craftmanship which sounds exquisite!

    - Elizabeth Flack. BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra member 1981 - 2018