Famous violin virtuoso sold out local theatre as part of UK tour
Niccolo Paganini was a star of his day, travelling the globe to play his music. DR RICHARD TALBOT MBE tells of his stop-off in Newcastle
IT was in August 1833 when probably the highlight of the long history of the Newcastle and Pottery Theatre – which stood between 1788-1957 in Nelson Place– took place: Two concerts by the world-renowned violinist Niccolò Paganini.
On this occasion, I have concluded that it was not Mr Stanton who promoted this prestigious concert but Mr Watson, composer to the Theatre Royal English Opera House, Covent Garden, a Member of the Royal Academy of Music, and professional pianist.
He not only accompanied Paganini but also performed solo.
Watson was responsible for arranging this last Paganini tour of the UK in which Paganini played at every theatre in the country from Scotland to the south, including Newcastle. He was then aged 54.
Paganini was the most celebrated violin virtuoso of his time.
In 1827, Pope Leo XII honoured him with the ‘Order of the Golden Spur’. This is a papal order of knighthood.
His fame spread across Europe with a concert tour that started in Vienna in August 1828. This was followed by tours in France and Britain.
And here was this worldfamous violinist performing in the relatively small market town of Newcastle on August 18, 1833.
It was described as the only available date he had before departing to the Court of St Petersburg.
The advertisement for the concert stated that
Mr T Mason, also a member of the Royal Academy of Music and a friend of Mr
Watson, was listed in the programme as giving a solo on the harp, ‘the
performance of which did him great credit and was loudly encored by the house’.
Mason, a few years later, became the lessee of the Newcastle and Pottery Theatre and in all his concerts, his friend, Mr Watson, took an active role.
On this occasion, the advert started with: ‘Signor Paganini respectfully announces to the nobility and gentry in Newcastle and its vicinity that he will give a Grand Concert.’
The admission charges had increased to boxes 7s 6d; pit 5s; gallery 3s and doors to open at half past six to commence at half past seven.
The attendance for the first night was full and the door receipts amounted to £160. The violinist’s share was 100 guineas. Such was the demand for tickets that the following morning it was announced that he would perform again in the evening the same day. But because of short notice the audience was described as large but not a sell-out as on the previous evening’s performance.
It was most unusual to find any critical reviews on shows in provincial theatres, but on this occasion of such a world-famous performer, the Staffordshire Advertiser’s critic admirably covered both the technical skills of Paganini and his performance.
The following is just a section of the review.
“The concert at the Newcastle theatre last Friday and Saturday, have afforded us, in common with others of this neighbourhood, an opportunity of seeing and hearing that extraordinary man Paganini, whose appearance and performances have afforded so much food for pen, ink, and paper during the last few years.
“The performance of the highly gifted player at the Newcastle theatre provided a powerful attraction to nearly all the respectable families within a considerable distance of the town.
“On Friday evening the house was crowded, and the following night it was nearly full considering the announcement for that extra performance was not made until the morning of the day.
“The treat was a great one to all who had the privilege of being present but especially to those who, having some knowledge of the science of music, could properly appreciate the Signor’s wonderful and partly intuitive talent.
“Each of the four pieces played by Paganini, on the violin, were executed in that masterly and almost magical style which has raised him to so great a height of popularity and drew forth the most enthusiastic plaudits from the assembly.”
During this UK tour, Paganini amassed more than £30,000 clear (£3.4m in 2021).
But it was sad therefore to read that he was summoned to the Sheriff’s
court in Reading, represented by his agent.
It was relating to an unpaid debt to Mr Phillips, his interpreter, of just 30 guineas. The Learned Counsel addressed the jury at great length, and strongly animadverted on the conduct of Paganini in suffering a cause for so paltry a demand before a court of justice.
At the end of the proceedings Mr Lloyd, the counsel for the defendant, contended that the case was a most extravagant one.
The jury without hesitation returned a verdict for the plaintiff for £31 10s which included costs.
Paganini was plagued with illness later in life and lost his voice in 1838. He moved to Nice, France, to recover, but died there on May 27, 1840, aged 57 following a long severe illness.
This was seven years after he appeared at Newcastle.
It was undisputed that Paganini was treated with mercury for suspected syphilis, others assumed that the terminal complaints and his death were caused by tuberculosis.
The literature that supported the diagnosis of syphilis provides a complete and unambiguous explanation for Paganini’s death based on the mercury concentrations found in his body.
It was widely rumoured at the time of his association with the Devil and as such the church denied his body a Catholic burial in Genoa.
This is an extract from a forthcoming publication ‘That’s Entertainment – a history of the Newcastle and Pottery Theatre 1788 – 1957’ by Dr Richard Talbot MBE