Paganini, Niccolo, pag uh NEE nee, neek koh LAW (1782-1840), became one of the greatest violinists of all time. He was just 9 years old when he made his concert debut in Genoa, Italy. From the age of 13, Paganini enjoyed triumphant concert tours. Paganini played quiet melodies so beautifully that his audiences often burst into tears. But he could also perform with such force and speed that a fantastic story began to circulate that he was in league with the Devil, who guided his bow.