Camillo Sivori, considered Paganini’s only pupil, was the most illustrious member of the Genoese violin school. He was also a significant composer whose Piccolo tema...

Camillo Sivori, considered Paganini’s only pupil, was the most illustrious member of the Genoese violin school. He was also a significant composer whose Piccolo tema con variazioni is both polyphonically rich and operatic, while the Rondò in D major is flecked with virtuoso panache. His teacher in the city had been Giovanni Serra who dedicated his subtle String Quartet in F minor to Sivori. The third Genoese composer is Carlo Andrea Gambini whose String Quartet in E minor was much admired by Rossini. Quartetto Ascanio was formed in 2004 by the section leaders of the Orchestra da Cameradel Trasimeno, eager to tackle the beautiful string quartet repertoire under the guidance of Elizabeth Graham; they perfected their skills at the Fiesole Music School with Andrea Nannoni and at the Stauffer Academy with the Quartetto di Cremona.