Mozart’s priceless, violin brought to NYC in hand luggage

How do you transport the priceless violin that Mozart used to compose his many masterpieces?

Pop it in your hand luggage, apparently!

We’re told that music philanthropist Marife Hernandez hosted a event at her New York home in honor of the Austria-based Salzburg Mozarteum Foundation.

And — incredibly — a musician played an 18th century violin that was owned and used by the composer at the bash.

Apparently the instrument is virtually impossible to insure, so the directors of the foundation wrapped it (very, very) carefully and walked it onto their flights to New York as hand luggage.

Director of Mozart Museums, Linus Klumpner said, “We, of course worry, and protect it in every way possible. But really just carrying it ourselves onto the airplane is the best way.”

We’re told that in a brief introduction, the foundation’s president, Johannes Honsig-Erlenburg, said: “We know that when God listens to music, its Bach. But when he turns his back, the angels listen to Mozart.”

We have absolutely no idea what that means! But it sounds fabulously impressive.

Among the guests were Noreen Buckfire, Philippe de Montebello, Carol and John French, Isabelle Harnoncourt, Elbrun Kimmelman, Sana Sabbagh, Jill Sackler, Pat Schoenfeld, Barbara Tober, Adrienne and Gigi Vittadini and nearly 100 more.

The Salzburg Mozarteum Foundation owns the largest collection worldwide of original letters, portraits, and instruments of the Mozart family.

Mozart’s widow, Constanze, as well as the two sons Carl Thomas and Franz Xaver Wolfgang, donated the majority of his personal belongings and memorabilia to the foundation in 1880.

“Ever since they have both exhibited these musical treasures and arranged superb concerts,” we’re told. And occasionally hopped on a plane to New York for a knees-up as well, it seems!