Born in Naples in 1863 and son of a musician and instrument maker, Raffaele Calace was a key figure for the development of the mandolin during the twentieth century. Famous performer for his numerous European tours and as far as Japan, composer, author of teaching methods, Calace was also a very well-known and appreciated luthier, making significant innovations to the mandolin for its concert use and contributing to the development of the "liuto cantabile ".
Calace's production of bowed instruments is probably less significant than that of plucked ones; his violins are often made on a very wide pattern and a flat arching, rather simple in finish and style.
