Paganini: Mystery, Myth & Magic

See below for details of 2023 Tour

From The Times; on Paganini’s debut 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 Nicolò 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 1830s, 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….

Tom has devised this programme to 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.

Tom is delighted to present this tour in partnership with Carn to Cove and Villages in Action.

Portrait of Paganini at his London debut - The King’s Theatre, Haymarket, 3rd June 1831 - by Daniel Maclise

Paganini: Mystery, Myth & Magic Tour 2023

15th September - 1st October

Thomas Bowes - Violin

Sam Freegard - Narrator

Tour Dates 2023

15 September, 7.30pm

St Anthony-in-Meneage Parish Church
Cornwall

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16 September, 7.30pm

St Bartholomew’s Church, Warleggan
Cornwall

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17 September, 7.30pm

Perranporth Memorial Hall
Cornwall

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19 September, 7.30pm

St Buryan Church
Cornwall

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20 September, 7.30pm

The Tolmen Centre, Constantine
Cornwall

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21 September, 7.30pm

St Wenna’s Church, St Wenn
Cornwall

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22 September, 7.30pm

St Gerrans Church, nr Portscatho
Cornwall

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23 September, 7.30pm

Grampound Village Hall
Cornwall

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24 September, 7.30pm

Maker with Rame Community Hall, Kingsand
Cornwall

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25 September, 4.30pm

Hay Music Trust Friends & Patrons
Dorstone Village Hall, Herefordshire

Private Event

29 September, 7.30pm

4-4 Gallery, Callington
Cornwall

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30 September, 7.30pm

St Lawrence Church, Bigbury
Devon

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1 October, 6.30pm

St Michael and All Angels Church, Cadbury
Exeter

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