Gautrot Brevete Ophicleide from 1889

My father and I have an old "Ophicleide" that my grandfather played when he was in the Folklore Cuban Band back in the 1950s-60s. It is made of brass and it is in good condition and still playable! It was originally made in France by the firm Gautrot in the late 1800s. A few were sent to Cuba for use in Folklore Bands. It is a rare instrument. Information on my grandfather, Alejo Arnaldo Piedra Garcia, and his instrument: My grandfather played in the "Orquesta Piquete Típico Cubano" and the "Orquesta Tipica del Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba". He was a director in the "Orquesta Piquete Típico Cubano" and played the "Figle" (Ophicleide) and was well versed in the Bombardino/Euphonium and the Trombone. My grandfather traveled to a multitude of countries with his Ophicleide including; Algeria, Spain, Ukraine, Italy, etc. and there his band played Cuban Folklore Music. (In the link below you will find a picture of one of the groups my grandfather played in, of the three sitting in the middle of the picture, my grandfather is the one on the right holding his Ophicleide). Orquesta Piquete Típico Cubano: https://www.ecured.cu/Orquesta_Piquete_T%C3%ADpico_Cubano

Dimensions

Overall size: 1024mm Sounding length: 2440mm

Acquired From:

Inherited