Nicola Mestrino (1748-1789) was employed for a time in the Esterházy court orchestra under the direction of Joseph Haydn. He later settled in Paris and became one of the most celebrated violin virtuosos of the period. He was also a composer, and one of his most successful works was this set of three violin duets which was published in no fewer than four contemporary editions in Paris, Vienna, Amsterdam and the German city of Offenbach. In these duets consisting of either three or two movements, the two violins have absolutely equal roles.
