Giovanni Battista Viotti

Giovanni Battista Viotti (1755-1824) was an Italian violinist and composer, and one of the major figures in the advancement of modern violin performance. While he is remembered today for his 29 violin concertos, which proved to be his most original and enduring works, he was a celebrity in his day for his phenomenal playing. His intermittent career as a violinist took him from Versailles, where he joined the court of Marie Antoinette, to concerts in London. After failing at a wine business, Viotti turned to managing the Paris Opéra and taught several rising violinists, including Rodolphe Kreutzer.