An Italian celebrity is coming to Columbus this week. Nicknamed “Il Cannone,” the superstar will be flanked by security guards on a plane, met by police at the airport, transported in an armored car and carefully watched during a nine-day visit here. “Il Cannone,” though, is not a diva with a long list of demands. It’s not even a person. It’s a wooden instrument.
But the violin known as “Il Cannone,” or “the cannon,” is not just any instrument. It’s a 276-year-old Italian national treasure, constructed in 1743. Even more, it was played and owned by legendary virtuoso Niccolo Paganini, who gave it its nickname due to its powerful sound and rich tone. Get the news delivered to your inbox: Sign up for our morning and afternoon newsletters
