Giovanni Battista Polledro (1781-1853) - Stich von Wilhelm Arndt nach einer Zeichnung vermutlich von Heinrich Schoedl, erschienen bei Breitkopf und Härtel, Leipzig, ca. 1812

Giovanni Battista Polledro was a famous violonist in his time, whose teacher had been Niccolo Paganini (1782-1840). He became a member of the court orchestra in Turin and later on he was solo violinist at the theatre in Bergamo. In 1816, he moved to Dresden and worked as concertmaster. He returned to Turin eight years later (in 1824), now being the leader of the court orchestra.

During 1811 and 1812, Polledro visited the Bohemian Baths, where he first met Ludwig van Beethoven. The two musicians seemed to get along with each other very well. When Polledro came for a second visit, they gave a benefit concert in Karlsbad to help the impoverished residents of the city of Baden, located near Vienna.(S.B.)