Luigi Ricca
born June 21, 1853 · Italian
Biography
Luigi Ricca was born at Naples, Italy, on June 21, 1853. He studied music and became a music teacher, emigrating to New York in 1886, where he joined the faculty of the German Conservatory of Music teaching guitar and mandolin. Dissatisfied with available instrument quality, he began manufacturing guitars and mandolins of his own design in 1890, and after unexpected success moved into piano manufacturing in 1898. His thorough knowledge of tone let him produce a piano with ready market demand, requiring him to erect large factories in 1903. He later added electric and player pianos to the business, which was incorporated as Ricca and Son, with Ricca as president and relatives H. F. Ricca and E. I. Ricca as treasurer and secretary.
Highlights
- Began manufacturing guitars and mandolins of his own design in 1890 before turning to pianos in 1898
- Erected large factories by 1903 to meet demand for his pianos
- Became president of the incorporated firm Ricca and Son
Source
Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. II (1913), pp. 164, 165.
Public domain.