The life story of the Duchess of Cornwall’s nephew is to be made into a film.
According to the Daily Mail newspaper, a screenplay is being written about the incredible life of Derek Paravicini, who was left blind and with learning difficulties following an overdose of oxygen as a baby. Despite this, it was soon discovered that he had an extraordinary talent of being able to play any piece of music after hearing it just once.
The screenplay, based on the book ‘The Key Of Genius’ by Adam Ockelford, is being written by Oscar and Bafta-winner David Seidler, who was behind ‘The King’s Speech’ which starred Colin Firth as King George VI.
The 41-year-old musician is the son of Mary Anne Parker Bowles, who is the sister of the Duchess of Cornwall’s ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles. The Duchess of Cornwall, who is now married to Prince Charles, was previously known as Camilla Parker Bowles.
Born at 25 weeks with a twin sister who didn’t survive, he discovered his incredible ability after being given a keyboard at the age of two by his grandmother. He then attended Linden Lodge School for the Blind in London and such was his precocious talent that he gave his first concert at the age of seven. Just two years later, when he was nine, Paravinci played with the Royal Philharmonic Pops Orchestra. He also made an appearance on the late Sir Terry Wogan’s chat show ‘Wogan’. And was presented with a Barnardo’s Children’s Champion Award by the Princess of Wales. At that time, before he played a concert at the Barbican he explained in an interview how he was able to “see” a piano’s “white notes and black notes” in his head.
On his YouTube channel it states: “Derek can play almost any piece by ear in any key or style. Derek’s talent, love of music, and – above all – the ability to communicate through sound means he will continue to thrill audiences for years to come in the UK and abroad.”