1782-1840
Violinist

Early Years. Niccolo Paganini was born in Genoa, Italy. His father was a minor artisan who may also have been a simple porter at the harbor of Genoa, but he was also an accomplished enough player of the mandolin to recognize that his young son had a special talent for music. By the time Paganini was twelve, his violin playing had surpassed that of his teachers in Genoa, and he was sent to Parma to study with the renowned violin teacher and composer Alessandro Rolla (1757-1841). By the time Paganini reached the age of twenty, his reputation for adroit violin technique had become widespread. In fact, Paganini played the violin like no one before him. As he performed more and more public concerts, he gained financial independence from his parents, and for three years Paganini, by his own admission, led a dissolute life. His...