Luthierie & 
Restoration

Elissa Opfer is a New Orleans based luthier and restorationist dedicated to preserving historical and culturally important musical instruments and artifacts. At Lady Luthier she offers a wide array of repair and restoration services for instruments, furniture, antiques, art, and much more. 

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After studying art and international studies at the University of Iowa, Elissa went on to finish her degree in Viterbo, Italy, where she received her BFA. It was there in Italy that she discovered the art of musical instrument construction.

After many years spent learning from two master luthiers as their apprentice, Elissa used that knowledge to specialize in restoring antique instruments. A singular focus of Elissa’s work is her recognition of the slow loss of knowledge of traditional and non-western instruments among luthiers.  She works to increase her familiarity with uncommon stringed instruments before that knowledge is lost. Her previous experience as an archeologist informs her practice of reviving rare instruments by reverse engineering the original construction, practice, and materials.

 

In 2020 Elissa took to restoring fine art and antiques for well known galleries and private clients in New Orleans. There she protected and preserved items as significant as Napoleon's writing desk, Picassos, and even some of the last remaining items of furniture form the renaissance to name a few. All the while, an independent luthier and restorationist in New Orleans where she preserves art and antiques and repairs the instruments of the city’s musicians.