carlo bergonzi (21 december 1683 – 9 february 1747) was an italian luthier and is the first and most noted member of the bergonzi family, an illustrious group of luthiers from cremona, italy, a city with a rich tradition of stringed instrument makers. today his instruments are highly valued for their workmanship and tone. although he was historically assumed to have first apprenticed with hieronymus amati or antonio stradivari, he is now known to have been the student of vincenzo rugeri.