'Paganini, "Little Pagan"' is a long narrative poem in rhyme which recounts the life of the famous nineteenth-century Italian violinist, Nicolò Paganini (1782-1840). Universally recognized as one of the world's greatest virtuosi, Paganini's reputation was irreparably damaged in his own lifetime and beyond by the many myths and legends which surrounded his formidable talent. This is partly why today there is practically no literature for children on such a great musician and composer. In her scholarly 'Introduction' and 'Notes for Adults', Professor Suvini-Hand exposes the falsehoods behind the portrait of the 'infamous' Paganini. Her narrative poem, furnished with original colour illustrations and designed to be read aloud to children, paints the true, not the legendary story of the artist. It is the extraordinary story of a boy from the humblest of backgrounds who taught himself to play the violin and went on to conquer the world with it; the story of a man who, in spite of suffering crippling illnesses, combined his international superstardom with single parenthood, and excelled in the equally important role of being a devoted and exceptional father to his own son. In 'Paganini, "Little Pagan"', we meet, for the first time, the real Paganini who deserves to be known, appreciated and loved by all - adults and children alike.
About the Author: Vivienne Suvini-Hand is an Emerita Professor of Italian Literature and Music at Royal Holloway, the University of London. She is a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, and New College, the University of Oxford, where she gained a First Class Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) in French and Italian, and a Doctorate (DPhil) in Italian literature, respectively. Her previous books include 'Sweet Thunder: Music and Libretti in 1960s Italy' (Oxford: Legenda, 2006), 'Mirage and Camouflage: Hiding behind Hermeticism in Ungaretti's L'Allegria' (Leicester: Troubador, 2000), and 'Andrea Zanzotto' (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 1994). Vivienne has also lectured and published widely on Italian poetry, opera and film, and is the author of numerous articles in refereed journals on the representation of Paganini in the visual arts and literature. A qualified singer, violinist, music teacher and classical music reviewer, she has a great passion for the musical education of young people. In addition to her academic writing, she publishes children's literature on cultural and educational topics. 'Paganini, "Little Pagan". The Life of Paganini in Verse' is her latest book of this type, aimed at introducing the life and times of the nineteenth-century Italian virtuoso violinist, Nicolò Paganini, to both young and adult readers.