Audacious thieves steal £1.5million violin from train luggage rack as classical music star Pavel Vernikov tries to get off

AN antique violin worth £1.5 million was stolen from the luggage rack of a packed train after a "large man" blocked its virtuoso owner as he tried to get off.

Concert musician Pavel Vernikov is appealing for help to track down the stolen 269-year-old violin, which was taken as he tried to change trains at Geneva Cornavin station, Switzerland.

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The classical music star also had his wallet and identity papers stolen from his pocket as he tried to reach around the man blocking his way.

"It’s as though someone has stolen my baby. Without it I can never make music again," he told

It is unclear whether the audacious theft was opportunistic or planned.

Mr Vernikov was returning to his home in the Swiss city of Sion from the Austrian capital Vienna when the theft happened on Thursday.

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After he got up from his seat on the crowded train to retrieve his violin case, he was blocked by a large man, he said.

By the time the man moved away, the Ukrainian-born musician’s violin was also gone.

Four expensive bows were also in the case.

Vernikov's violin was made by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini in the northern Italian city of Piacenza in 1747.

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Gaudagnini is considered to be the third greatest stringed instrument maker, after Antonio Stradivari and Giuseppe Guarneri.

Other famous musicians to use instruments made by him include British violinists Vanessa-Mae, who has sold millions of albums, and Tasmin Little, winner of the 2011 Classic Brit Awards Critics Award.

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The theft comes just months after forgetful British violinist Jane Gordon left her 300-year-old fiddle on a train in London.

Luckily the violin was later found dumped in the street and was returned to the award-winning performer.

The world’s most expensive violin is thought to be the Messiah Stradivarius, valued at around £15.7million, made in 1716 and currently on display at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.

Police have not commented on their investigation.

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