Violin virtuoso, born in Genoa, Italy. He gave his first concert in 1793, began touring professionally in Italy in 1805, and created a sensation in Austria, Germany, Paris, and London (1828--31). Much admired for his dexterity and technical brilliance, he revolutionized violin technique, his innovations including the use of stopped harmonics. He published several concertos and, in 1820, the celebrated 24 Capricci.