Stradivari Prince Matchabelli 1948 Cologne Parfumée
2
Very helpful Review
Forgotten Beauty From the House of Matchabelli
Top notes: Aldehydes, Calabrian Bergamot, Cloves, Coriander, Cinnamon, Allspice, Bay, Marjoram
Middle notes: Lavender, Basil, Thyme, Frankincense, Carnation, Rose, Myrrh, Jasmine, Orris
Base notes: Oakmoss, Benzoin, East Indian Vetiver, Patchouli, Mysore Sandalwood, Abyssinian Ambergris, Cedar, Tibetan Musk
Released in 1942, Stradivari is one of the forgotten beauties from the House of Matchbelli. It is classified as a spicy Oriental. According to Perfume Fetish's blogspot, the perfume was the first the house released after WWII began, and it was named for the Prince Matchabelli orchestra which was formed that same year. The fragrance was apparently discontinued in 1967.
I own both the cologne parfumee formulation and the extrait. Stradivari could have been one of the precursors to YSL's Opium which was launched in the 1970s. I find it also has deep similarities with Lutens's Amber Sultan from 1993. It is spicy, warm, and animalic. The dry down boasts real oakmoss, sandalwood, ambergris, and musk. It is a beautiful, complex fragrance that was perhaps a little ahead of its time. If you love spices, incense, dark patchouli, sandalwood, and animalic notes, then I can recommend this fragrance most highly.
Stradivari is unisex in my opinion and best worn in the evening and during the cooler months. My numerical ratings are based on my vintage bottles which of course have suffered over the years, but it is clear that the fragrance was lovely. Even my old bottles still smell quite nice. Of the few fragrances I have tried from this house, Stradivari is one of my favourites. It is such a shame it was discontinued. It could hold its own against many niche fragrances of today.
Fragrance: 7.5/10
Projection: 4/10
Sillage: 4/10
Longevity: 5/10
Middle notes: Lavender, Basil, Thyme, Frankincense, Carnation, Rose, Myrrh, Jasmine, Orris
Base notes: Oakmoss, Benzoin, East Indian Vetiver, Patchouli, Mysore Sandalwood, Abyssinian Ambergris, Cedar, Tibetan Musk
Released in 1942, Stradivari is one of the forgotten beauties from the House of Matchbelli. It is classified as a spicy Oriental. According to Perfume Fetish's blogspot, the perfume was the first the house released after WWII began, and it was named for the Prince Matchabelli orchestra which was formed that same year. The fragrance was apparently discontinued in 1967.
I own both the cologne parfumee formulation and the extrait. Stradivari could have been one of the precursors to YSL's Opium which was launched in the 1970s. I find it also has deep similarities with Lutens's Amber Sultan from 1993. It is spicy, warm, and animalic. The dry down boasts real oakmoss, sandalwood, ambergris, and musk. It is a beautiful, complex fragrance that was perhaps a little ahead of its time. If you love spices, incense, dark patchouli, sandalwood, and animalic notes, then I can recommend this fragrance most highly.
Stradivari is unisex in my opinion and best worn in the evening and during the cooler months. My numerical ratings are based on my vintage bottles which of course have suffered over the years, but it is clear that the fragrance was lovely. Even my old bottles still smell quite nice. Of the few fragrances I have tried from this house, Stradivari is one of my favourites. It is such a shame it was discontinued. It could hold its own against many niche fragrances of today.
Fragrance: 7.5/10
Projection: 4/10
Sillage: 4/10
Longevity: 5/10
Oriane
