On this day 178 years ago Shrewsbury pulled off an amazing PR coup when they persuaded Signor Niccolo Paganini (pictured below) to perform a concert in The Lion Hotel Ballroom.
Unfortunately, the records do not say who in the town managed to persuade Europe’s then top violinist to call into Shrewsbury in 1833 on his way from Italy to St Petersburg in Russia.
The only details we know are from a concert programme which still hangs in the hotel reception today.
It says: “Under distinguished patronage, Signor Paganini respectfully announces to the Nobility and Gentry of Shrewsbury that he will give a Grand Vocal and Instrumental Concert at the Lion Ballroom on Thursday evening, August the 15th, being positively the only time he can possibly have the honour of appearing before them previous to his departure for the Court of St Petersburg on which occasion he has engaged those highly celebrated Vocalists, Miss Wells and Miss Watson, likewise Mr Watson, composer to the Theatres Royal, English Opera House and Covent Gardens, and member of the Royal Academy of Music who will preside at the Piano Forte. Tickets 2/6d each (12.5p today) may be had at Mr Eddoes, Corn Market, Shrewsbury. The concert will commence precisely at 8 o’ clock.”
To get Niccolo Paganini, a 19th century equivalent to a rock star today, must have been an incredible achievement for Shrewsbury.
The musician, born in Genoa, Italy, on October 27, 1782, had dramatically changed the writing of violin music, astounding audiences with techniques that included harmonies and near impossible fingerings and bowings. His Caprice No. 24 in A Minor, Op. 1, is among his best compositions, a work that has inspired many top composers.
Incidentally, the Shrewsbury Summer Season re-enacted the Paganini concert on Friday, August 15, 2008, at The Lion to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the event.
Organised by Maggie Love, then the Arts Development Officer at Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, the concert (pictured below) attracted a sell-out audience at the hotel as violin virtuoso Madeleine Easton, helped by musicians Claire Surman and Gary Cooper, played the exact violin pieces performed by Paganini in 1833.
The framed copy of the original programme in the hotel foyer helped organisers to plan the concert.
To read more details about the concert and The Lion Hotel Ballroom in the book contact John@jbutterworth.plus.com to buy a copy.
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