What makes a Stradivarius great?

What makes all of these instruments great? How, after three centuries, have they stood the test of time? What does it feel like as a musician to play one of these instruments?
In a moderated discussion, violin expert Christopher Reuning will guide you through a tour of the instruments on stage while Criers perform short demonstrations and reflect on what it was like selecting instruments to create the ensemble.

Musical Program Includes movements from…

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) | Serenade for Strings (1880)
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1759) | Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043 (1730)
Chuchumbé | Traditional Veracruz (before 1766), arr. Alex Fortes
Sapo Perapaskero aka Taraf de Haïdouks | Turceasca (2009) arr. Osvaldo Golijov & Ljova 

Leoš Janáček (1854-1928) | Idyla for String Orchestra, ILJ 9 (1878)