Francesco Geminiani was an important and influential Italian violinist, composer and theorist. During his life he was overshadowed by Corelli, Handel and Vivaldi, and is still relatively obscure today in spite of his great originality and beauty of his compositions and his considerable place in music history's march. Geminiani expanded the art of violin playing to a level previously thought unattainable. Many of the techniques he introduced or developed are now part of the standard technique of the violinist. Geminiani's The Art of Playing on the Violin was the first instruction manual addressed to advanced players from a professional viewpoint, as opposed to a primer for beginners. He composed throughout his life, while also being an active soloist and conductor.