Nicolo Paganini (1784-1840) the most famous of violin virtuosos was renowned for his demonic style and appearance: "The strangest rumour accompanied him wherever he went ... He himself writes 'At Vienna one of the audience affirmed publicly that my performance was not surprising, for he had distinctly seen, while I was playing my variations, the devil at my elbow directing my arm and guiding my bow. My resemblance to the devil was a proof of my origin' ... His tall, skeleton-like figure, the pale, narrow, wax-coloured face, the long dark hair ... have been described often enough." [Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1450-1889). Edited by Sir George Grove, Macmillan, 1900.]