A rare and historic violin crafted by Lorenzo Carcassi in 1740, belonging to Philharmonia Orchestra musician David López Ibáñez, was stolen from a Canonbury Street pub. Police have released CCTV images and appealed for public help to recover the invaluable instrument and its unique bows.
Police in London are actively searching for the suspect responsible for stealing a valuable and historic violin belonging to David López Ibáñez, a member of the Philharmonia Orchestra. The instrument, reportedly worth over £150,000, was taken from The Marquess Tavern on Canonbury Street on the evening of February 18. The violin, made in Florence in 1740 by renowned instrument maker Lorenzo Carcassi, is approximately 285 years old and holds immense sentimental and monetary value for its owner.
CCTV footage released by the Metropolitan Police shows a male suspect entering the pub wearing a pale beanie hat and light brown coat. The footage reveals the individual removing the jacket to reveal black clothing underneath while carrying a violin-sized black case as he exits the pub. The victim, David López Ibáñez, who received the violin on loan for significant concerts, described the theft as a devastating loss, likening it to “the death of an old friend.” Along with the violin, three bows—including one with a mother-of-pearl tip—and a white cotton bag made by Mr. Ibáñez’s grandmother were also stolen.
The Philharmonia Orchestra, a world-class symphony group based at London’s Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, is known for its diverse and high-calibre performances of classical music. Mr. Ibáñez has used this particular instrument for eight years, emphasizing the deep connection musicians develop with their violins as unique voices through which they express themselves. Since the theft, he has had to rely on a spare violin for performances, underscoring the disruption caused by the loss.
Police have urged the public to assist in identifying the person in the CCTV images and locating the violin. They stress the violin’s irreplaceable nature, both as a priceless cultural artefact with a rich history spanning nearly three centuries and for its personal significance to the musician. David López Ibáñez has also appealed directly for help, highlighting the emotional weight of the theft and the fear that the instrument may be discarded by the thief, unaware of its true worth.
This incident highlights not only the vulnerability of rare and valuable instruments in public spaces but also the broader movement within the classical music community to preserve and cherish historical artefacts that carry immense artistic and emotional heritage. The Philharmonia Orchestra continues its schedule of concerts featuring renowned soloists and conductors, maintaining its status as a leading institution in the British and global classical music scene.
Anyone with information regarding the theft or the violin’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Metropolitan Police or Mr. Ibáñez directly to aid in the recovery of this extraordinary instrument.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14837531/Manhunt-violin-thief-CCTV-instrument-taken-pub.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/london-philharmonia-orchestra-violin-stolen-camden-pub-b1212294.html – An award-winning violinist from London’s Philharmonia Orchestra, David López Ibáñez, had their 300-year-old violin stolen from the Marquess Tavern in Canonbury. The violin, crafted in 1740 by Lorenzo Carcassi, was loaned to Ibáñez for major concerts. Along with the violin, three bows, including one with a mother-of-pearl tip, were taken. Ibáñez expressed devastation over the loss, describing the instrument as their ‘voice’ and urging Londoners to help reunite them with it. Police are investigating the theft, which was reported on the same day. Anyone with information can contact David López Ibáñez at [email protected].
- https://theviolinchannel.com/stolen-alerts/ – The Violin Channel has reported the theft of a 1740 Lorenzo Carcassi violin and three bows belonging to David López Ibáñez, a member of London’s Philharmonia Orchestra. The incident occurred near Ibáñez’s home in London. The violin, made by the acclaimed Florentine instrument maker Lorenzo Carcassi, is of significant value and sentimental importance. The Violin Channel urges anyone with information about the whereabouts of the instrument to come forward to assist in its recovery.
- https://philharmonia.co.uk/whats-on/page/4/?2560%2Fweimar_berlin_insights_day= – The Philharmonia Orchestra’s concert calendar includes various performances throughout 2025, featuring renowned artists and diverse programmes. Notable events include performances by violinist Nemanja Radulović, pianist Mao Fujita, and conductor Ryan Bancroft. The orchestra’s schedule spans multiple venues, including the Royal Festival Hall in London and De Montfort Hall in Leicester, showcasing a range of classical works and collaborations with esteemed soloists and conductors.
- https://philharmonia.co.uk/whats-on/page/4/?1394%2Flondon%2Froyal_festival_hall%2F7_may_2017%2Finspirations_mahler_and_bartok= – The Philharmonia Orchestra’s concert calendar features a variety of performances throughout 2024 and 2025. Upcoming events include concerts with featured artists such as Julia Bullock and Nicola Benedetti, as well as collaborations with soloists like Bruce Liu and Alexandre Kantorow. The orchestra’s schedule encompasses a range of classical works, including pieces by Mahler, Bartók, and Brahms, performed at venues like the Royal Festival Hall in London and De Montfort Hall in Leicester.
- https://blog.thoroughlygood.me/2024/02/04/review-philharmonia-plays-shostakovich-violin-2-and-strauss-at-royal-festival-hall/ – A review of the Philharmonia Orchestra’s performance at the Royal Festival Hall on 4 February 2024 highlights the concert’s programme, which included Sibelius’ ‘Andante festivo,’ Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 2 with soloist Vadim Gluzman, and Strauss’ ‘Death and Transfiguration’ and ‘Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche.’ The review praises the orchestra’s responsiveness and the emotional depth of the performance, noting the engaging solos and the intimate atmosphere of the venue.
- https://www.capradio.org/classical/classical-after-hours/2024/09/06/classical-afterhours-090624/ – CapRadio’s Classical After Hours programme for 6 September 2024 features a selection of classical music pieces performed by various orchestras and ensembles. Highlights include Hubert Parry’s ‘Symphonic Variations’ by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5 by the Berlin Philharmonic, and Astor Piazzolla’s ‘Double Concerto: II. Milonga’ performed by A Far Cry. The programme offers a diverse range of classical compositions, showcasing the talents of renowned musicians and ensembles.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is based on a press release issued by the Metropolitan Police on February 20, 2025, detailing the theft of a 1740 Lorenzo Carcassi violin from the Marquess Tavern in Canonbury, London, on February 18, 2025. ([theviolinchannel.com](https://theviolinchannel.com/stolen-alert-1740-lorenzo-carcassi-violin-case-and-bows/?utm_source=openai)) This press release has been widely disseminated, with coverage appearing in reputable outlets such as The Standard and The Strad. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/london-philharmonia-orchestra-violin-stolen-camden-pub-b1212294.html?utm_source=openai), [thestrad.com](https://www.thestrad.com/news/stolen-in-canonbury-1740-carcassi-violin-and-bows/19294.article?utm_source=openai)) The freshness score is high due to the recent nature of the incident and the active investigation. The widespread coverage across multiple reputable sources indicates that the content is original and not recycled. The press release nature of the narrative typically warrants a high freshness score, as it provides the most current and authoritative information on the incident.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes attributed to David López Ibáñez, such as “It’s been eight years that I’ve played this instrument, it has become my voice,” and “It’s countless hours that I have spent with it, it’s been my shadow,” are consistent across multiple reputable sources, including The Standard and The Strad. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/london-philharmonia-orchestra-violin-stolen-camden-pub-b1212294.html?utm_source=openai), [thestrad.com](https://www.thestrad.com/news/stolen-in-canonbury-1740-carcassi-violin-and-bows/19294.article?utm_source=openai)) The consistency of these quotes across different outlets suggests they are accurately reported and not fabricated.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from a press release issued by the Metropolitan Police, a reputable law enforcement agency. The coverage has been picked up by established media outlets such as The Standard and The Strad, further corroborating the reliability of the information. The involvement of the Metropolitan Police and the dissemination of the press release through multiple reputable channels enhance the credibility of the narrative.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The details of the theft, including the specific date (February 18, 2025), location (Marquess Tavern, Canonbury, London), and the description of the stolen violin (1740 Lorenzo Carcassi with a distinctive heart-shaped hole in the scroll), are consistent across multiple reputable sources. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/london-philharmonia-orchestra-violin-stolen-camden-pub-b1212294.html?utm_source=openai), [thestrad.com](https://www.thestrad.com/news/stolen-in-canonbury-1740-carcassi-violin-and-bows/19294.article?utm_source=openai)) The involvement of the Metropolitan Police and the active investigation into the theft further support the plausibility of the narrative.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is based on a recent press release from the Metropolitan Police regarding the theft of a historic violin, with consistent and corroborated details across multiple reputable sources. The involvement of the Metropolitan Police and the active investigation into the theft further support the credibility of the narrative. No significant issues were identified in the checks for freshness, quotes, source reliability, or plausibility.
