One of the most important 19^th Century cello virtuosos, Adrien-Francois Servais was presented with a gift from an admirer - a Stradivarius cello. In 1833, Servais performed in Paris to enormous critical acclaim. Servais’s European tours with orchestras and in recital were always triumphal.  During the period of 40 years Servais played over ten thousand concerts. Hector Berlioz called Servais 'Paganini of the cello'. Servais was a very influential composer who broadened cello repertoire and significantly increased the popularity of cello.