Giovan francesco paganini biography

His formative years (1796 – 1805)

In 1796, together with his father, Paganini was having lessons in Parma from Alessandro Rolla and, in 1799, he went to Livorno (Leghorn) for concerts. After holding two academies in Modena in December 1800, in 1801 he returned to Genoa and furthered his study of the guitar; acquiring – according to many witnesses – absolute mastery, although Paganini never played it in public. During 1801, he also went with his brother, Carlo, to Lucca where his concerts were beginning to arouse wonder and amazement. During his performances he would often improvise, managing to reproduce animal noises or other sounds never previously heard on that instrument. The legend of Paganini’s “secret” technique spread, although no trace of it remains today. It is, however, certain that the violinist was an absolute innovator of brilliant technique. During this period Paganini led a degenerate and licentious lifestyle, several times finding himself in financial difficulties after spending his savings on frivolous pleasures.

Success (1805 –

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