Paganini's violin will be brought specially from the Genoa, where it has been kept since 1840 according to the last wishes of the famous maestro. The violin was made by Giuseppe Guarneri (del Gesu) in 1742.
Paganini music, including 24 capriccios which are considered his best, will be played by Sergei Stadler Russia's outstanding violinist, assisted by the "St Petersburg Camerata" orchestra of the Hermitage.
The festival is being organized by the Hermitage, Italy's Colombo Fund, Moscow's Charity Fund "Klyuch-C" and is being supported by the mayoral administrations of St Petersburg and Genoa.
Performance times will be announced by the Hermitage only next week.