Niccolò Paganini, born in Genoa, at that time capital of the Republic of Genoa, is the third of the six children of Teresa (née Bocciardo) and Antonio Paganini, an unsuccessful trader who manages to supplement his income through playing music on the mandolin.

Niccolò, who had started learning the mandolin from his father at the age of five, had moved to the violin by the age of seven.

His musical talents had been quickly recognized, earning him numerous scholarships for violin lessons.

The young Paganini studied under various local violinists, including Giovanni Servetto and Giacomo Costa, but his progress had quickly outpaced their abilities.

Paganini and his father then traveled to Parma to seek further guidance from Alessandro Rolla, but upon listening to Paganini's playing, Rolla immediately referred him to his own teacher, Ferdinando Paer and, later, Paer's own teacher, Gasparo Ghiretti.

Though Paganini did not stay long with Paer or Ghiretti, the two had considerable influence on his composition style.

The French had invaded northern Italy in March 1796, and Genoa was not spared.

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.

He has become rather adept on this instrument, but prefers to play it in exclusively intimate, rather than public concerts.

He will later describe the guitar as his "constant companion" on his concert tours.

By 1800, Paganini and his father had traveled to Livorno, where Paganini played in concerts and his father resumed his maritime work.

In 1801, the eighteen-year-old Paganini is appointed first violin of the Republic of Lucca, but a substantial portion of his income comes from freelancing.

His fame as a violinist is matched only by his reputation as a gambler and womanizer.

After the defeat of the Third Coalition and the consequent Treaty of Pressburg, on May 1, 1806, the Kingdom of Italy had been given by Austria the eastern and remaining part of the Venetian territories, including Istria and Dalmatia down to Kotor (at this time called Cattaro), even if it has to give Massa and Carrara to Elisa Bonaparte's Principality of Lucca and Piombino.

The Duchy of Guastalla is annexed on May 24.

Italy cedes Monfalcone to Austria and gains Gradisca by the Convention of Fontainebleau with Austria of October 10, 1807, putting the new border on the Isonzo River.

The conquered Republic of Ragusa is annexed in spring 1808 by general Marmont.

This is the only time in modern history that Ragusa is united to Italy.

On April 2, 1808, following the dissolution of the Papal States, the Kingdom annexes the present-day Marche.

At its maximum extent, the Kingdom has six million seven hundred thousand inhabitants and is composed by two thousand one hundred and fifty-five communes.

The final arrangement of the Kingdom of Italy arrives after the new defeat of Austria: Emperor Napoleon and King Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria sign the Treaty of Paris on February 28, 1810, deciding an exchange of territories involving Italy also.

Bavaria cedes southern Tirol to the Kingdom of Italy, which in its turn cedes Istria and Dalmatia (with Ragusa) to France, incorporating the Adriatic territories into newly created the French Illyrian Provinces.

Small changes to the borders between Italy and France in Garfagnana and Friuli come in act on August 5, 1811.

In practice, the Kingdom is a dependency of the French Empire.

The Kingdom serves as a theater in Napoleon's operations against Austria during the wars of the various coalitions.

Trading with the United Kingdom is forbidden.

Eugène de Beauharnais, lined up the Mincio River with his army against the German invasion When Napoleon abdicates to both the thrones of France and Italy on April 11, 1814, attempts to be crowned king.

The Senate of the Kingdom is summoned on April 17, but the senators show themselves undecided in this chaotic situation.

When a second session of the assembly takes place on April 20, the Milan insurrection foils the Viceroy's plan.

In the riots, finance minister Count Giuseppe Prina is massacred by the crowd, and the Great Electors disband the Senate and call the Austrian forces to protect the city, while a Provisional Regency Government under the presidency of Carlo Verri is appointed.

Eugène surrenders on April 23, and is exiled to Bavaria by the Austrians, who occupy Milan on April 28.

On April 26, the Empire appoints Annibale Sommariva as Imperial Commissioner of Lombardy, while many taxes are abolished or reduced by the Provisional Regency.

Finally, on May 25, the Supreme Imperial Commissioner Count Heinrich von Bellegarde takes all the powers in Lombardy, and former monarchies in Modena, Romagna and Piedmont are gradually re-established; on May 30, the Treaty of Paris is signed, and the remains of the kingdom are annexed by the Austrian Empire, as will be announced by Count Bellegarde on June 12.