Dismountable double bass

For several years now, Anne Geisendorf, patron of the Cappella Mediterranea ensemble, has been seeking to assemble a collection of instruments of the highest quality to support Leonardo García-Alarcón’s artistic projects. With this in mind, in 2025 the ensemble acquired a dismountable double bass crafted by the luthier Richard Gonon (Grand Prix at the City of Paris International Competition / Etienne Vatelot Competition 2011).

A fundraising committee has been established to finance the purchase of this instrument and ensure its acquisition. The instrument was presented to Eric Mathot, Cappella Mediterranea’s principal double bassist, just in time for him to fly to Brazil for the seven performances of Les Indes galantes at the Theatro Municipal de São Paulo in November and December 2025.

“Cappella Mediterranea is in great demand to perform all over the world, and travelling is extremely complicated, particularly for large instruments such as the double bass. Having this dismountable double bass would be a real relief and would save a lot of hassle! “

— Anne Geisendorf

Woods used:
Top made from high-grade solid maple, inner blocks made from spruce, inner struts made from lime wood, maple neck and ebony fingerboard.

Our double bassist Eric Mathot, who now plays this instrument, demonstrates how it is assembled.

The double bass acquisition support committee