Muscat: To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Premio Paganini, the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) has initiated the international project Paganini for Everyone. This initiative aims to celebrate the enduring legacy of Niccolò Paganini, the renowned violinist, composer, and innovator who made a significant impact on classical music.
The project also honors the esteemed international competition named in his honor, which is dedicated to nurturing young violinists from across the globe.
As part of ROHM’s Emerging Talents programme, this initiative seeks to foster meaningful connections between international artists and Oman, inspire audiences of all ages to explore new talent, and enhance cultural and creative experiences.
The partnership between ROHM and the Premio Paganini effectively merged history, culture, and music, with a particular emphasis on nurturing the next generation of Omani musicians.
A highlight of the events was a concert featuring Simon Zhu, the 2023 Premio Paganini winner, who had previously delivered an exceptional performance in the presence of His Majesty King Charles III in London.
During that concert, he played the iconic Cannone, the violin crafted by Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù in 1743, alongside the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Sir Antonio Pappano.
His performance in Muscat occurred on February 24, 2025, with pianist Gile Bae. The concert, which was open to the public, showcased a program curated by Artistic Director Nicola Bruzzo, featuring compositions by Brahms, Paganini, and Szymanowski.
Paganini for Everyone proved to be a highly successful initiative, with activities at the opera house commencing in December and culminating in a concert on February 24. The project kicked off with a well-attended discussion titled "Who is Paganini? The Works and Legacy of the Great Violinist," featuring Giovanni Panebianco, President of the Premio Paganini, alongside art historian Emmanuel Ducamp.
On January 14, attendees participated in a combined talk, workshop, and musical interlude held in the music library. This event, titled "Paganini’s Violins and Italian Violin Making," included a dual session with Enrico De Barbieri, a member of the Premio Paganini Committee, and Nicola Bruzzo, the Prize's Artistic Director. A special workshop for Omani violin students was conducted by Alberto Giordano, the conservator of the 1743 Guarneri del Gesù Cannone.
As the concert date neared, a second workshop was held on February 23, where renowned artists Zhu and Bae led a masterclass for aspiring violinists from the region. This was followed by a talk and musical interlude at 5:00 PM in the ROHM Music Library. The discussion, titled "The Premio Paganini: A 70-Year History," was presented by Giovanni Panebianco and was open to the public with free registration.
The evening also featured a brief musical performance by a student violinist from the Royal Muscat Philharmonic Orchestra. A highlight of the series was the concert by Simon Zhu, the 2023 Premio Paganini winner, who had previously delivered an outstanding performance in the presence of His Majesty King Charles III in London.
In that performance, he showcased the renowned Cannone, a violin made by Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù in 1743, which belonged to Niccolò Paganini, alongside the London Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Sir Antonio Pappano.
This concert in Muscat occurred on February 24, 2025, with pianist Gile Bae accompanying him.
The event, which was open to the public, featured a program designed by Artistic Director Nicola Bruzzo, highlighting compositions by Brahms, Paganini, and Szymanowski. The concluding phase of the project is scheduled for October 2025 in Genoa, Italy, coinciding with the 58th edition of the competition.
History of the Premio Paganini
Established in 1953, the Premio Paganini is esteemed as one of the most prestigious violin competitions globally. Since its founding, it has honored exceptional violinists, acting as a launching pad for many emerging talents and symbolizing Italian culture on an international scale.
Umberto Fanni, Director General of the Royal Opera House Muscat, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “Through Paganini for Everyone, the ROHM and the Premio Paganini have forged a cultural connection between Italy and Oman while celebrating the legacy of Niccolò Paganini’s musical brilliance. This project offers Omani audiences a distinctive chance to explore his life, works, and the history of the esteemed competition held in his honor in Genoa for the past 70 years.
It is an honor to contribute to the commemoration of such a legendary figure.”
