![slickwhippet:
Louis Boulanger, Paganini in Prison (1831).
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from “Dark Suspicions,” in The Ladies’ Companion and Monthly Magazine, July, 1853 (London): “… In late years, some of us may remember the suspicion with which Paganini and his marvellous performance were regarded. Some years before he appeared before the public, there were reports of one who had been incarcerated for some dreadful crime, who employed all his hours in prison in playing on the violin, and who was to astonish the world when he was again at liberty. Many remembered this rumour when Paganini appeared, and who witnessed his power over his instrument—a power which appeared miraculous; and there was something strange and mysterious in his bearing, which encouraged the belief that there was some foundation for the tales that were circulated—reports of his having killed his wife, and made a horrible use of a portion of her remains [ed. fashioning violin strings from her gut], were bruited about. It was even said that he had received his lessons in music from the devil while he was in prison, and that it was he who had composed a Fantasia for him, which he had revealed to him in a dream, and with which Paganini often delighted his audience …”](http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwup9xcj1y1qgnsyxo1_500.jpg)
Louis Boulanger, Paganini in Prison (1831).
~~
from “Dark Suspicions,” in The Ladies’ Companion and Monthly Magazine, July, 1853 (London): “… In late years, some of us may remember the suspicion with which Paganini and his marvellous performance were regarded. Some years before he appeared before the public, there were reports of one who had been incarcerated for some dreadful crime, who employed all his hours in prison in playing on the violin, and who was to astonish the world when he was again at liberty. Many remembered this rumour when Paganini appeared, and who witnessed his power over his instrument—a power which appeared miraculous; and there was something strange and mysterious in his bearing, which encouraged the belief that there was some foundation for the tales that were circulated—reports of his having killed his wife, and made a horrible use of a portion of her remains [ed. fashioning violin strings from her gut], were bruited about. It was even said that he had received his lessons in music from the devil while he was in prison, and that it was he who had composed a Fantasia for him, which he had revealed to him in a dream, and with which Paganini often delighted his audience …”
