Ophélie Gaillard’s stolen 1737 Goffriller cello, along with two bows, has been returned to her after nearly two months.
The renowned cellist discovered the theft on September 25, when she woke to find that her precious instrument, along with bows by Nicolas Maire and Jean-Marie Persoit, had been taken during the night from her home in Haute-Savoie, in southeastern France. The cello was stolen inside a blue case, along with three pieces of artwork.
Gaillard called the incident “a trauma” that deeply impacted her and her family. Despite the loss, she continued to perform using a modern cello by luthier David Leonard Wiedmer.
Gaillard shared the news of the return of her instrument on social media: “The cello and bows are in perfect condition and will be able to resonate and vibrate again. For the moment, I can breathe again, my family is reassured, and now I hope to devote myself to my passion once more.”
She expressed her gratitude, saying, “I would like to thank each and every one of you who relayed the information and supported me through this ordeal. I would also like to thank the press and media who played a crucial role in this outcome. But I must particularly thank the police for their constant commitment and efficiency.”
This isn’t the first time Gaillard has experienced a theft of her valuable instruments. In February 2018, she was robbed at knifepoint outside her home in the Parisian suburb of Pantin. The thief made off with her 1737 Francesco Goffriller cello, a bow by Jean Pierre Marie Persoit, and her mobile phone.
Fortunately, the instruments were recovered within a few days. The thief, realizing the immense value of the cello—estimated at around €1.3 million—decided to return it. After smashing a car window in Gaillard’s neighborhood, the thief placed the cello inside the vehicle and made an anonymous phone call to inform Gaillard of its location.
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