Reconstruction of Historical Lutes and Plucked String Instruments
Historical plucked string instruments reconstructed from historical sources, treatises, iconography, and contemporary constructive experimentation.
Luthier and researcher dedicated to the historical reconstruction of plucked string instruments.
Adriano Giesteira holds degrees in music and lutherie, as well as a master’s and doctorate in music. He currently researches the reconstruction of historical plucked string instruments. His work integrates organological research, critical analysis of historical sources, and contemporary constructive practice, resulting in instruments grounded in Renaissance and Baroque traditions.
What is meant by the reconstruction of historical instruments?
Reconstruction does not consist in the literal copying of preserved examples. It involves the formulation of historically informed constructive hypotheses, evaluated through acoustic response and musical use.
Decisions concerning proportion, material selection, structural solutions, and sound behavior are continuously examined throughout the building process. Construction thus becomes a mode of inquiry.
Each instrument represents a coherent interpretation of a specific historical context — open to refinement as new evidence and musical experience emerge.
Read about the Research & Method
🔹 Fields of Work
Historical Lutherie
Construction and reconstruction of plucked-string instruments based on documentary and material sources.
Research in Lutherie
Applied research articulating musicological investigation, constructive experimentation, and critical reflection on instrumental technique, sound qualities, and musical function.
The reconstructed instruments include:
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Renaissance Lutes
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Archlutes
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Baroque Guitars
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Classical Guitars
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Modern Acoustic Guitars
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Gothic Harps
Each project integrates historical analysis, constructive experimentation, and acoustic evaluation.
