Event Date
Wednesday 20th September 2023
Venue
The Tolmen Centre, Constantine
Start
7.30pm
Prices
£12 adults, £6 under 18s, £10 unwaged, £25 family (2+2)
From the Times; on Paganini’s London concert, 3rd June 1831.
‘Nothing can be more difficult than to describe Paganini’s performance on the violin, so as to make the effect of it intelligible to those who have never heard him… all the anticipations formed of him, however highly coloured, have fallen short of reality…’
The prototype virtuoso/pop star Nicolo Paganini was one of the wonders of the world and his bursting onto the stage with debuts in Vienna, Paris and London in the early 1830’s is the stuff of a never-to-die legend.
He had recently published his opus 1 – a collection of 24 ‘Caprices’ for solo violin. These had only increased the mystery as all the top violinists across Europe declared them utterly unplayable. He was said to be in league with the Devil….
Thomas Bowes, one of the UK’s premiere violinists, will reawaken the astonishment of those 19th century audiences with an evocation of this legend. He will play the first twelve of the hair-raising Caprices whilst Sam Freegard, actor and retired medic will read from contemporary accounts and impressions, telling the story of Paganini’s extraordinary life and adding his own expertise on Paganini’s various and many medical tribulations.
Running time: 90 minutes plus interval
Suitable for audiences of all ages
