Stolen 1758 Nicolas Gagliano Violin Returned to Chicago Violinist

By Laurie Niles: A 1758 Nicolas Gagliano violin that was reported stolen in a Chicago home burglary in May has been returned to violinist MingHuan Xu, along with two other instruments that had been taken from her home: a 1994 Oliver Radke violin and Xu’s son’s half-size cello. The 1758 Nicolas Gagliano violin, worth several hundred thousands dollars, was on loan to her by a private sponsor. "My heart-felt gratitude for the Chicago Police Department for recovering our instruments," Xu wrote on her Facebook page. "A special thank to Detective Peralta, for his amazing work and dedication that brought our instruments back home undamaged. We are so so happy, relieved and grateful!"

Violinist MingHuan Xu and Chicago Detective Peralta. Photo courtesy Xu's FB page.

Xu was scheduled to perform at the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival in Washington earlier this week, but after receiving a call from Chicago police Tuesday, Xu immediately canceled the performance to fly home and identify the instruments. "They were mine, I could tell right away, within seconds," Xu said. "But most importantly, they were all in good condition." While at the station, she said she played a little impromptu concert for the detectives. Xu has performed on the Gagliano for 20 years; "It's my voice, that instrument," she said. Xu will perform for the first time on her newly recovered violin on June 28 at Chicago's St. James Cathedral, for its Rush Hour Concerts series. It is not clear who stole the instruments or how police acquired the instruments. "The instrument was located during the course of the investigation," Chicago police said in a statement. No suspects are in custody and the investigation is still open, according to Chicago police. As for Xu and her family, after the events of the last month, they have installed a state-of-the-art security system in their home. You might also like:

• 1758 Nicolò Gagliano Violin Reported Stolen in Chicago Home Burglary
• Roman Totenberg's Once-Stolen Stradivari Violin Loaned to Juilliard Student Nathan Meltzer
• Two Years After the Theft - Frank Almond and 'A Violin's Life'

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