Haute-Savoie: a cello worth 1 million euros stolen

The cellist from Haute-Savoie Ophélie Gaillard is upset. His precious instrument, estimated at more than a million euros, was stolen from his home, located between Annecy and Geneva, on the night of September 24 to 25, without anyone waking up, reports “The Dauphiné Libéré”.

The cello, loaned by a bank and made in 1737 by Francesco Goffriller, is a true masterpiece of Venetian violin making. “He’s been my stage partner for 20 years,” she says, comparing the loss to that of a master painting. In addition to the cello, the thieves stole bows, computer equipment and money.

Investigators are exploring all avenues, although the artist doubts that it was a targeted theft. This is not the first time that she has been the victim of such an incident. In 2018, the same cello was stolen at knifepoint in Seine-Saint-Denis, but she recovered it thanks to an anonymous call. The instrument was found intact in a rubble bag in a car with a broken window.

This time, she launched a call for help via Facebook, quickly shared thousands of times, mobilizing the international musical community. “Thanks to this mobilization, everyone is aware,” she confides, while insisting on the fact that the instrument and the bows are unsaleable.

Ophélie Gaillard particularly fears that the thief will damage this precious cello. “It’s an invaluable collective good, it belongs to humanity,” she says with emotion, calling on the culprit to return the instrument and take care of it.

In the meantime, the musician has suspended all her professional activities, including concerts and the recording of her new album. Desperate, she concludes: “I’m waiting for a miracle.”

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