A "Love Letter" from Paganini to His Lawyer, "I kiss you with all my heart"

PAGANINI, NICOLO. (1782-1840). Italian violinist and composer. ALS. (“Nicolo Paganini”). 1p. 4to. Rome, February 24, 1819. To Paganini’s lawyer, close friend, and talented amateur violinist, GUGLIELMO LUIGI GERMI (1786-1870).



“I would like to know the reason for your silence. Your letters have always had a magic effect upon my heart. They lift from it all melancholy, a condition from which I often suffer. The main reason is that I love you above all things, so do not deny me your writing as I long for it. Miss Banti, who is now Crescentini’s student, studies with the greatest enthusiasm to become more worthy of me. She is therefore at my disposal. Time will tell. In the three... dates in this Argentine Theater [in Rome], the last three Fridays of the past Carnival season, they have made 1350 Colonati net. Next Tuesday I will leave for Naples and there I hope to meet your friend who is supposed to give us the quartet that you accepted in Lucca and another one that I wrote especially for you in Rome [a reference to several quartets for violin, viola, cello and guitar that Paganini dedicated to Germi]. Please do not leave me without your letters. Greet on my behalf Dellepiane and all our common friends. Goodbye. I kiss you with all my heart. I have the honor to call myself your true friend and servant...”



Between 1819 and 1820, Paganini toured Palermo, Rome and Naples where he premiered his 1st Violin Concerto. As his reputation grew his name became synonymous with virtuoso, and since many of Paganini’s works from this period were deemed unplayable, some believed his extraordinary abilities proved the existence of supernatural, if not diabolical, influences.



Girolamo Crescentini (1762-1846), composer and mezzo-soprano was one of the last great castrato singers and the singing teacher of Napoleon’s family. Miss Banti was perhaps a descendant of the Italian soprano Brigitte Banti (1757-1806). Violinist Agostino Dellepiane (?-?), was, like Paganini, born in Genoa and also, like Paganini, a teacher of violinist Camillo Sivori. Our affectionate letter written to Paganini’s lawyer reveals, as does much of their lengthy correspondence, not only the amity that existed between the two men but provides a more robust picture of the violinist.



Written in dark ink in Paganini’s expansive hand. Our letter is in fair condition; folded, foxed, with some minor tears. Integral address leaf on verso. Rare.