Hey, there! Log in / Register

Sour note in Allston: Somebody steals a $70,000 viola

Photos of the stolen viola and its case

Photos of the stolen viola and its case via BPD.

Boston Police report they are looking for a viola stolen from an address on Glenville Avenue in Allston sometime between 2 a.m. and 3:50 p.m. on Sunday.

The Viola is described as 16.5 inches long, valued at approximately $70,000 and stored inside a black BAM Black Panther HighTech case valued at $1,300 with two Boston University stickers, and a Vivant Vintage sticker.

If somebody offers you a fancy looking viola in a case adorned with BU stickers, contact detectives at 617-343-4256 or the anonymous tip line by calling 800-494-TIPS or by texting TIP to CRIME (27463).

Neighborhoods: 
Topics: 


Ad:


Like the job UHub is doing? Consider a contribution. Thanks!

Comments

I haven't bought a non-electronic instrument since I was in elementary school but are these just that expensive?

70k seems like a lot.

up
Voting closed 0

It’s expensive but not too out of the ordinary for a really fine string instrument, especially if it’s used professionally.

up
Voting closed 0

Given the stickers I'm guessing this person is a professional player or at least someone who was spending $$$ to attend a conservatory and therefor was going to have a high level instrument.

An instrument isn't the sort of thing you can just leave in a vault. (At least not if you want to be considered a master.)

up
Voting closed 0

$70k is about entry level for a serious professional string player

it’s crazy but true

up
Voting closed 1

That is crazy.

Thanks all for replying. I truly wasn't being snarky.. the estimated price just took the air out of me. Wow.

Yeah I'd be beyond upset if it was stolen then.

up
Voting closed 0

There was a wonderful memoir written a few years back by Min Kym about her experience (as a professional violinist) having her (really expensive) violin stolen:
https://www.npr.org/2017/05/07/526924474/her-violin-stolen-a-prodigys-wo...

up
Voting closed 1

it would be worth six figures at least. :-)

up
Voting closed 0

Here is a TIP: don't leave your musical instruments out on the street by the dumpsters late at night.

up
Voting closed 0

Edit: I guess the person really did leave their instrument unattended. I'm guessing there's more to the story.

I stand by my fuck off comment.

Fuck off.

up
Voting closed 0

Wow, thanks for the link. They left this along with a credit card, iPad pro, passport, and luggage outside behind the building overnight, unattended. I've lost my sympathy for this person.

up
Voting closed 3

or did they want help getting their stuff back?

up
Voting closed 0

Why would they ask me for anything? I have nothing to do with it, along with virtually everyone who reads this article or comments on it. I do think it's noteworthy that someone in possession of something more expensive than what most of us can afford would be so negligent.

up
Voting closed 1