The violin by Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840) was built in Cremona in 1743 by the luthier Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri (1698-1744) known as 'del Gesù'. Paganini probably received it as a gift in 1802 in Livorno and preferred it among all the instruments he possessed, affectionately calling it "my violin cannon" for the fullness of the sound.
The Cannon is a unique instrument, because its main parts have come down to us intact and its value is increased by the prestige of the famous owner. The varnish is still the original one and, in the final part of the soundboard, bears the sign of use by Paganini who, like all his contemporaries, played without using the chin rest, resting his chin directly on the instrument.
Il Cannone became an exceptional partner for Paganini's virtuosity who, thanks also to the extraordinary extension of the fingers of his left hand, developed new violin techniques by exploiting the instrument's potential to the maximum.
Niccolò Paganini, according to a precise testamentary disposition, left the Cannone to his hometown, Genoa, "so that it may be perpetually preserved". The violin, together with other paganinian relics, has been in Palazzo Tursi, seat of the Municipality of Genoa since 1851, and a commission of experts oversees its state of conservation, including Mario Trabucco, violinist in charge of playing it periodically, and Bruce Carlson. , conservative luthier.
Famous violinists have performed with the Cannone in concerts in Italy and abroad, however it remains a privilege reserved for the winner of the International Violin Competition 'Premio Paganini', to play the precious instrument.