A Historic Evening with the London Symphony Orchestra
An extraordinary evening dedicated to Niccolò Paganini brought to London not only his music, but also his legendary violin: the “Cannone”, the celebrated Il Cannone built in 1743 by Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù and today housed at the Musei di Strada Nuova.
An Evening of Great Music and International Prestige
The protagonist of the event was the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Antonio Pappano, which accompanied the young violinist Simon Zhu.
Zhu, winner of the Premio Paganini, had the honour and responsibility of performing on the “Cannone” itself — one of the most iconic instruments in the history of music. The violin, renowned for its sonic power and extraordinary tonal depth, continues to astonish and move audiences even in the greatest international concert halls.
A Royal Tribute
The evening was made still more solemn by the presence of King Charles III, who wished to pay tribute to this page of Italian cultural excellence. The meeting between the King, Simon Zhu, and luthier Alberto Giordano, conservator of the “Cannone”, underscored the symbolic value of the event: a cultural bridge between Genoa and London, between the Italian violin-making tradition and great British symphonism.
A Ligurian Heritage Speaking to the World
The “Cannone”, once owned by Paganini and bequeathed by him to the city of Genoa, today stands as a cultural ambassador of Liguria in the world. Each of its departures from the Musei di Strada Nuova is an extraordinary event, governed by rigorous conservation and security protocols.
The London evening celebrated not only the visionary genius of Paganini, but also the work of Genoese institutions — from the Municipality of Genoa to the Musei di Genova and the Premio Paganini — which preserve and promote this unique legacy.
In an era where culture is increasingly a tool for international dialogue, the sound of the “Cannone” proved once more to be far more than a historical symbol: it is a living voice, capable of crossing the centuries and uniting diverse audiences under the banner of great music.
