Nicolo Paganini, born in 1782, was a genuine child prodigy, learning Mandolin and Violin at the ages of 5 and 6. By the time he was 13 he traveled about Italy to find the best teachers but they told him he was too advanced, they could not teach him. He was certainly the best and most known violinist of the late 1700s and early 1800s. And many still think that he remains the best violinist of all time. In fact he was so good that some people of that period were sure he had a pact with the dEVIL. And it even prevented him, upon his death, to have a Christian burial.
And that is the significance of the title of this movie. It takes the life of the real violinist, Nicolo Paganini, and weaves in a fictional story about his special appearance in London, where he also met a young soprano, but was destined for love unfulfilled.
The star, and one of the producers, is actual concert violinist David Garrett as the adult Niccolò Paganini. Garrett himself was a child prodigy of sorts and when you see him play he can do remarkable things, Paganini-like things, with the violin. He is not an experienced actor, yet he does fine in the role, and this movie could not have been realistically made without someone of his caliber. When we see him playing famous, complex Paganini compositions, we see Garrett playing them himself. I am a musician, my father was a violinist, it makes a difference to have a real virtuoso musician in the role.
In this fictional story, early in his performance career, Paganini receives a lukewarm reception from a crude crowd, who would rather hear his barnyard composition. But he meets Jared Harris as Urbani, wearing a black cape with red accents, he looks and feels like the dEVIL. He makes a pact with Paganini, he will serve him and help make him famous if he will agree to serve Urbani after he dies. (In a later scene Urbani says he is not the dEVIL but works for him.)
The other nice touch is young American operatic singer Andrea Deck as Charlotte Watson, the young lady Paganini falls in love with in London as he stays as her father's house guest.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, especially the music. There is a great lull as the story is established, up until about 54 minutes, but then there is a great scene where Paganini is in a hostile pub in London, then he mesmerizes everyone with his playing. Then around 1:12 to around 1:24 more music at the concert in London.
I know this is a fictional story built on the real Paganini, but it is a great glimpse into who this violin master might have been.
And that is the significance of the title of this movie. It takes the life of the real violinist, Nicolo Paganini, and weaves in a fictional story about his special appearance in London, where he also met a young soprano, but was destined for love unfulfilled.
The star, and one of the producers, is actual concert violinist David Garrett as the adult Niccolò Paganini. Garrett himself was a child prodigy of sorts and when you see him play he can do remarkable things, Paganini-like things, with the violin. He is not an experienced actor, yet he does fine in the role, and this movie could not have been realistically made without someone of his caliber. When we see him playing famous, complex Paganini compositions, we see Garrett playing them himself. I am a musician, my father was a violinist, it makes a difference to have a real virtuoso musician in the role.
In this fictional story, early in his performance career, Paganini receives a lukewarm reception from a crude crowd, who would rather hear his barnyard composition. But he meets Jared Harris as Urbani, wearing a black cape with red accents, he looks and feels like the dEVIL. He makes a pact with Paganini, he will serve him and help make him famous if he will agree to serve Urbani after he dies. (In a later scene Urbani says he is not the dEVIL but works for him.)
The other nice touch is young American operatic singer Andrea Deck as Charlotte Watson, the young lady Paganini falls in love with in London as he stays as her father's house guest.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, especially the music. There is a great lull as the story is established, up until about 54 minutes, but then there is a great scene where Paganini is in a hostile pub in London, then he mesmerizes everyone with his playing. Then around 1:12 to around 1:24 more music at the concert in London.
I know this is a fictional story built on the real Paganini, but it is a great glimpse into who this violin master might have been.