Editing Niccolò Paganini (section)

=== Early career ===
The French invaded northern Italy in March 1796, and the political situation in Genoa became unstable. The Paganinis sought refuge in their country property in Romairone, near [[Bolzaneto]]. It was in this period that Paganini is thought to have developed his relationship with the guitar.{{r|Sugden|p=18}} He mastered the guitar, but preferred to play it in exclusively intimate, rather than public concerts.<ref>P.J. Bone: ''The Guitar and Mandolin''. Schotts, UK 1954.</ref> He later described the guitar as his "constant companion" on his concert tours. By 1800, Paganini and his father traveled to [[Livorno]], where Paganini played in concerts and his father resumed his maritime work. In 1801, the 18-year-old Paganini was appointed first violin of the [[Republic of Lucca]], but a substantial portion of his income came from freelancing. His fame as a violinist was matched only by his reputation as a gambler and philanderer.

In 1805, Lucca was annexed by [[Napoleon]]ic France, and the region was ceded to Napoleon's sister, [[Elisa Bonaparte]]. Paganini became a violinist for the Baciocchi court, while giving private lessons to Elisa's husband, [[Felice Pasquale Baciocchi|Felice]] for ten years. During this time, his wife and Paganini were also carrying on a romantic affair.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bargellini|first=Sante|date=1934|journal=The Musical Quarterly|volume=XX|issue=4|pages=408–418|doi=10.1093/mq/xx.4.408|issn=0027-4631|title=Paganini and the Princess}}</ref> In 1807, Baciocchi became the [[Grand Duchess of Tuscany]] and her court was transferred to [[Florence]]. Paganini was part of the entourage but, towards the end of 1809, he left Baciocchi to resume his freelance career.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}