Liuto cantabile

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Liuto cantabile, also called liuto moderno, is a rare ten-string bass-like mandolin (mandocello). It was created by Neapolitan luthiers from the Vinaccia family in the late 19th century and refined by Raffaele Calace. Modern Calace liuto cantabile measures about 61 cm (24 inches) long. It sits in size between the mandolone and mandocello and is tuned CC-GG-dd-aa-e'e'.

Many solo pieces have been written for it, especially by Calace, who helped popularize the instrument. It also serves as the bass instrument in the classical mandolin quartet (mandolin I, mandolin II, mandola, and liuto cantabile). The Florentine Quartet, formed in Florence in 1890, was the first known quartet with this setup. Its members were Luigi Bianchi (mandolin I), Guido Bizzari (mandolin II), Riccardo Matini (octave mandolin), and Carlo Munier (liuto cantabile, director).