The world’s longest-established leader in fine stringed instruments announces our new London home,
conceived as a cultural destination for musicians, collectors and patrons, and the appointment of
Lorenza Calza, formerly of Burberry, as General Manager.
In autumn 2026, we open the doors of our new London home at 29 Queen Anne Street, a few steps from the premises we have occupied for decades. The move marks the beginning of a new chapter, and the realisation of an ambition that has been taking shape for some time: to create in the heart of Marylebone a cultural destination for everyone who cares deeply about stringed instruments.
For more than 130 years, we have been the place where the world’s great instruments pass through the hands of the world’s great players. This new building is intended to open that world more widely. Alongside the workshops, expertise and archives that have always defined the firm, 29 Queen Anne Street is conceived as somewhere musicians, collectors, patrons and audiences can gather around a shared passion. It will also become the home of our expanding philanthropic work through the J & A Beare Cultural Trust, including our commitment to fostering emerging talent and supporting the wider musical community.
“The world of classical music is evolving, and J & A Beare intends to evolve with it. Our move to 29 Queen Anne Street this autumn is an opportunity to offer something more expansive: a place where musicians, collectors and patrons can find not only the finest instruments in the world but a community built around a shared passion.
We want it to become the natural destination in London for everyone who cares deeply about music and stringed instruments.”
Steven Smith, Owner and Managing Director, J & A Beare
To help bring that vision to life, J & A Beare has appointed Lorenza Calza as General Manager. Calza joins from Burberry, where she spent more than fifteen years in senior operational and leadership roles. Like J & A Beare, Burberry is a house built on British craft and heritage, and Calza brings to Queen Anne Street the instincts she has honed in that world. She will work alongside the firm’s renowned specialists to support its continued evolution, combining strategic thinking with practical execution in service of a vision centred on expertise, philanthropy and the deepening of relationships with musicians, collectors and patrons.
“Lorenza understands what it takes to protect something precious while allowing it to grow. She is exactly the person to help us build what comes next.”
Steven Smith, Owner and Managing Director, J & A Beare
“It is a privilege to join an institution with such an extraordinary history and reputation. What drew me to J & A Beare is that it represents the very best of British craftsmanship, expertise and heritage. These are qualities that deserve to be preserved, but also continually nurtured. The operational experience I built at Burberry taught me that excellence does not happen by chance; it happens when talented people are given the clarity, trust and support to do their best work. I am delighted to be joining at such a significant moment for the firm, and to be working alongside an exceptional team to build on that remarkable legacy, serving musicians, collectors and patrons alike.”
Lorenza Calza, General Manager, J & A Beare
Press enquiries
Anna Saldadzé
anna@beares.com
+44 (0)7771 131203
