Niccolo Paganini Quiz Questions and Answers
Q1. Niccolo Paganini was born in which Italian city?
A. Venice
B. Genoa
C. Milan
D. Florence
Answer: B. Genoa
Q2. In what year was Niccolo Paganini born?
A. 1782
B. 1784
C. 1790
D. 1775
Answer: A. 1782
Q3. Paganini is renowned for his virtuosity on which instrument?
A. Piano
B. Violin
C. Cello
D. Harp
Answer: B. Violin
Q4. What was the name of Paganini’s father, who introduced him to music?
A. Antonio Paganini
B. Giovanni Paganini
C. Luigi Paganini
D. Francesco Paganini
Answer: A. Antonio Paganini
Q5. At what young age did Paganini begin formal violin studies under Giovanni Servetto?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 9
D. 11
Answer: B. 7
Q6. Paganini composed 24 Caprices for solo violin; what is their opus number?
A. Op. 1
B. Op. 24
C. Op. 50
D. No opus number
Answer: A. Op. 1
Q7. Which guitar was Paganini particularly famous for performing on, showcasing his polyphonic techniques?
A. Acoustic steel-string
B. Classical nylon-string
C. Electric
D. Archtop
Answer: B. Classical nylon-string
Q8. In 1805, Paganini experienced a major career setback due to what?
A. A shipwreck
B. A severe illness
C. Imprisonment for gambling debts
D. A fire destroying his instruments
Answer: C. Imprisonment for gambling debts
Q9. Paganini served as court violinist to which princess from 1805 to 1813?
A. Maria Luisa of Spain
B. Princess Baciocchi
C. Queen Caroline of Naples
D. Empress Eugenie
Answer: B. Princess Baciocchi
Q10. What legendary rumor persisted about Paganini’s playing abilities?
A. He had made a pact with the devil
B. He was a time traveler
C. He used enchanted strings
D. He was blind in one eye
Answer: A. He had made a pact with the devil
Q11. Paganini’s famous violin, the “Canon,” was made by which luthier?
A. Antonio Stradivari
B. Giuseppe Guarneri
C. Nicolo Amati
D. Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume
Answer: B. Giuseppe Guarneri
Q12. How many strings did Paganini reportedly use in some performances to create stunning effects?
A. One string
B. Two strings
C. Three strings
D. Five strings
Answer: A. One string
Q13. Paganini’s “La Campanella” is the third movement of which larger work?
A. Violin Concerto No. 1
B. Grande Sonate pour le Harpe
C. Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra
D. Violin Concerto No. 2
Answer: D. Violin Concerto No. 2
Q14. In what year did Paganini give his triumphant debut concert in Vienna?
A. 1828
B. 1830
C. 1825
D. 1831
Answer: A. 1828
Q15. Which composer was heavily influenced by Paganini’s Caprices, incorporating themes into his music?
A. Ludwig van Beethoven
B. Franz Liszt
C. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
D. Joseph Haydn
Answer: B. Franz Liszt
Q16. Paganini died in which city after suffering from health issues?
A. Genoa
B. Paris
C. Nice
D. Milan
Answer: C. Nice
Q17. In what year did Paganini pass away?
A. 1839
B. 1840
C. 1842
D. 1835
Answer: B. 1840
Q18. What was a primary cause of Paganini’s death?
A. Tuberculosis
B. Syphilis
C. Heart failure
D. Poisoning
Answer: A. Tuberculosis
Q19. Due to suspicions of heresy, Paganini’s body was denied burial in consecrated ground for how many years after his death?
A. 3 years
B. 10 years
C. 36 years
D. Immediately allowed
Answer: C. 36 years
Q20. Paganini composed how many violin concertos?
A. 2
B. 6
C. 12
D. 1
Answer: B. 6
Q21. Besides violin and guitar, Paganini was also proficient on which other instrument?
A. Viola
B. Mandolin
C. Flute
D. Piano
Answer: A. Viola
Q22. Paganini’s “Moto Perpetuo” is cataloged as what?
A. A violin caprice
B. Op. 11
C. Part of 24 Caprices
D. A guitar sonata
Answer: B. Op. 11
Q23. Paganini performed in London in which year, captivating audiences?
A. 1831
B. 1828
C. 1834
D. 1824
Answer: A 1831
Q24. Paganini’s centennial birth exhibition in 1882 featured artifacts now housed where?
A. Vienna Musikverein
B. Paris Conservatoire
C. Genoa’s Palazzo Doria
D. New York Metropolitan Museum
Answer: A. Genoa’s Palazzo Doria
Q25. How many children did Paganini have, including his acknowledged son?
A. None
B. One legitimate son, Achille
C. Two daughters
D. Several illegitimate
Answer: B. One legitimate son, Achille