First name also spelled “Nicolò”
Born in Genoa, Oct 27, 1782
Died in Nice, May 27, 1840
- Paganini was an early symbol of the romantic artist. His ability to mesmerize audiences with his persona and extreme virtuosity inspired the careers of subsequent 19th century virtuosi, like his friend Franz Liszt.1
- A child prodigy whose first teacher was his father (a mandolinist and dockworker), Paganini’s touring career as a virtuoso took him from Italy to France, Austria, Germany, and Britain.2
- Paganini also enjoyed playing the guitar, and frequently wrote chamber music for that instrument.3
- Regarding the legend about a pact with the devil: during his touring career, the legend cropped up that either Paganini or his mother had sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his unusual violin skill. The rumor wasn’t quelled when he died suddenly in 1840 before a priest could arrive to perform last rites. The Catholic church actually refused to allow him a Christian burial until a re-interment in 1876.4
Short biography from The Strad magazine
Sources
- Edward Neill, “Paganini, Nicolò,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed Aug. 26, 2021, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000040008.
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- 4“Niccolò Paganini,” The Strad (2020), accessed August 26, 2021, https://www.thestrad.com/niccol%C3%B2-paganini/4105.article.