THE LIBRARY OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF

NORTH CAROLINA

ENDOWED BY THE

DIALECTIC AND PHILANTHROPIC

SOCIETIES

V780.3 A134

MUSIC LIB.

This book must not be taken from the Library building.

Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013

http://archive.org/details/bcdariomusicoOObath

• . . ■ »■

. wtri Tin ■;

ABC Dario Mufico.

^Price ONE SHILLING and SIXPENCE)

It*

A B C

D A R I O

M U S I C O.

BATH.

Printed for the Authors, and fold at the Rooms ; alfo by the Booksellers of Bristol, Oxford, Cambridge, and York. ; and in London by S.Bladon in Paternofter- rovv, Richardson and Urquhart at the 'Change, Kearsly in Fleet-ftreet, and the Booksellers of Westminster.

M,DCC,LXXX.

THE . LTBMRY IV .% G

PREFACE.

"PNGLAND affords the warmeft ^^i protection to abilities of all kinds, of any country in the world. Whether that protection favours fo- reigners, to the prejudice of natives,

we

;v-7

894335

11

we will not pretend to decide on. Our criticifm we wifh to extend only to the illuftration of real merit , and to the expoiition of pretended talents, how well foever received. It is ftrange that, in this country, where ail objects of amufement are fo freely canvarTed? that hitherto Mufic, and its Profeffors, fhould have efcaped criticiim : under the fhelter of which darknefs, the moft barefaced and impudent pretenders have obtruded their plagiarifms and absurdities on the Public, in various thaoesi

To

Ill

To remove this veil, and detect this imposition, the Editor gives this Pamphlet to the Public, con- fcious of the writer's abilities to direct his readers to true and found criticilm.

s

'■-.

ABC Dario Mufico.

.— .,-©<>©<*Qo©0©<>©9©<>C><>©<>©<*

jfc.

Wft£s

A'jtfl'E, DOCTOR.

ALTHOUGH all pofthumous difcufiions are deviations from our general plan, we can- not in this fingle inftance deny ourfelves the fa- tisfaclion of paying forne fmall tribute to the me- mory of fo defervedly diftinguifhed a favourite . for whilft there is a recollection ofEnglilh mufic, the name of Arne will hold its rank in merit, as in its alphabetical precedence. Proofs are unne- ceflary to fupport his character. He compofed his Comus when but twenty years old, and Elfri-

B da*

( 6 )

da, written at an advanced period of life, poflefTes the fire of youth with the judgment of age. The \erfatility of his 'genius manifefted itfelf in the multitude of mofl excellent catches, glees, and detached fongs, which he wrote throughout a long life. As we can't pafs over the celebrated openj of Artaxerxes, we are obliged to remark, that there is a palpable want of originality from the beginning to the end.

A ; . E, M I C H A E L.

Son of the late Doctor. He early made his appearance in the mufical world, firft as a finger, but for many years pad as a compofer and per- former. As a performer on the harpfichord, his ftile is -lingular, rather founded on that of Scar- latti, and idluftrated by powerful execution. As a cOrripofer,' if he did not croud his parts, and run fo much -intovthe fugeing manner of the late Handel, we think he would be more fuccefsful. This .remark applies to fome favourhe fongs which he has "written — The Highland Laddie—? S>veet PafTjon of Love, &c,

A R . . . D,

( 7 )

AR..;D, DOCTOR.

Educated in the King's Chapel under Mr. Barnard Gates; Although he has had frequent opportunities as a compofer to difclofe his abili- ties, he has not produced any remarkable work, unlefs we fhould point out his pretty rondo " If " 'tis joy to wound a lover" — As the Do£tor has never flood forth as a leflbn or concerto player on the organ or harpfichord, we mull declare that any man who attempts to write Progrejjive Leffbns for the harpfichord, or fo many fetts of leffons as this gentleman has publifhed, ought to be a per- former of much greater notoriety than Dodtor Arnold.

He has compofed two Oratorio's. 'We can't fufficiently exprefs our aflonifhment that any per- fon, who was bred up in the King's Chapel, fhould caufe the ff Prodigal Son" to be laughed at, or place thej " Refurreiftion" in a ridiculous point of view.

B 2 A . . L.

[ * ]

A • . 1-jf

, A German. He lived for fome years unknown in this country, and firft introduced himfelf to the public by a fet of Overtures, which were deferv- edly well received : though we can't affirm that his fucceeding fetts have kept pace with his firft, yet many of the middle movements betray an un- common knowledge of harmony, by rendering the moft abflrufe modulations pleafing. Mr. Abel plays with the delicate exprefllon on the Viol di Gamba, and has had the Jingular knowledge to write fome good harpfichord lefibns ; though we have not heard that he ever particularly attached himfelf to that infcrument.

A Y L W , , D,

An Englishman — ProfefTor- of Mufic at Gref- ham College, where he reads lectures as often as auditors will attend to hear them.

This erentleman has compofed fome Catches with fuccefs.

A T T . R E . R Y.

An anglilhman — the Goliaii of Mufic. As an Architect, we do not mean to difcufs his merit;

but

( 9 )

>ut, as a Compofer, we vehemently recommend t to him rather to ftudy plans and proportionsj han fpend his time in raifing fuch a Babel as his Dratorio and the reft of his grotefque mufical difices.

B.CH, JOHN CHRISTIAN.

A German. — Mufic- Matter to her Majefty* Educated under that great matter Bach, of Ber- n, his father. He was efteemed, from his earlief! outh until his arrival in England, as the molt ipital harpfichord player of his time. Of late ;ars he has changed his ilile of playing, and >mpofing for that inftrument, for a more eafy id familiar manner. The tafte, which is fo con-

icuous in his compofitions, he is not a little be- jlden to Italy for, where he reiided fome years.

It would fill volumes to particularize the me- :s of his inftrumental and vocal productions.

B A N . . . T E R.

An Englifhman, a finger, with little judgment mufic j but he has a powerful voice and a good

B.RTHX.M.N.

( to )

B . R T H . L . M . N,

' A Spaniard.— If we are to credit his account o himfelf, that he was an officer in the SpaniOi fer vice, then indeed we muft pronounce the ufe h< made of the inftrucYions he received fron Barfanti, the prieft in this city, as ^ver lingular. As a compofer, his Maid of tl Oaks, and fome of his fob concertos, entitljj him to praife. As a performer, his execui tion and expreffion are warmly to be applauded His Adagio ftands unrivalled, we may fay, h;< never been approached. Some latent caufc mu have prevented Mr. B. from fucceeding in pre portion to his oftenfible merit. Perhaps he hi not more bile than is ufually given by nature, M comprefied into fo fmall a compafs as his frame, : overflows ; and if we had not fomewhat lefs Kid lignity, envy, and ineffe&ual detraction, than 1 1 (m faid) exercifes, he would not have experience the candour with which we have given his po trait.

B A

( " )

BATTISHILL.

: An Englifhman, of much merit in his perform- '.nee on the Organ, which he touches in true or- ganic ftyle.

His fc Kate of Aberdeen" and other of his bngs, are in a raoft beautiful and exprefilve ilyle.

B . R T . N.

An Englifhman, an harpfichord-mafter, who las compofed fome leflbns in a ftrange and un- couth ftyle, which were never played but by his "cholars. It pleafed this gentleman to chriften lis muficmoft prettily and fantaftically, mayhap :o give the language mailer more frequent oppor- tunities of inftru<fting his fcholars.

B . . M G . R T . N.

A German, organift of the Lutheran chapel at the Savoy, where he exhibits great fl<ill in modu- lation, and a thorough knowledge of the powers |f his inftrument. His tone on the violin is

good,

( .1* )

good, but his manner is languid and fpiritlefg. JHBs friends fpeak fo highly of fome manufcript compofitions of his, that we are furprized at the mediocrity of the Opera performed at Covent- Garden theatre, which he has publifhed.

B , R T . N 1.

An Italian, a compofer of diftinguifhed fame in Italy many years ago. His ftyle is that of the old fchool in which Handel was bred ; but more Italic or expreffive, It is furprizing that a gen- tleman of Signor B.rt.ni's judgment in, mufic fnould prefiime to publifh lefTons for the harpfi- ehord an this country ; we might venture to af- fert that he can't play on that instrument, as fuch a performer is a phenomenon in Italy, nor is that mftrument ever ufed there but to accompany... Though we Could not enough condemn the nobh, iyfurance, Anglice, imp ...... ce of fuch publica- tions, we will not be particularly fevere on Signor B.rt.ni, as we/are inclined to think that the ex- ample of his countrymen Saccbim and Giordaniy (Both of whom know jut as much of the harpfi- c'hbrd as he does)" induced him to exhibit the fub- ]■.: -1 of our ariim'adverfion,

B,RN,Y,

( n )

B.RN.Y, DOCTOR.

Has written a learned/and elegant hiftory of Mufic. We can't fay much in his praife as a compofer, his leffons having nothing remarkable in them, but the frequent repetition of one note, which trick we think rather ill-adapted to the harpfichord. He firft wrote leffons for two per- formers on one inftrument, which are very infe- rior to fome fince publimed by Mr. Bach.

B . R N . Y.

Nephew to the Doilor. A performer on the harpMchord of moll capital and original execu- tion, particularly neat in the performance of the trick above alluded to, and which nothing but the ability of Mr. B.rn.y could excufe. We are fur- prized that this gentleman has never publimed any leffons, as they would certainly prove very acceptable from fuch a great mailer of his iaftru-» ment, and from fuch only.

BTL.R;

( H >

B . T L . R.

This gentleman will tell you that he ftudied three years in Italy under Piccini. If he did, (which is not univerfally credited) we are afto- nifhed that his improvement did not follow. Whether to blame Piccini's heart, or B.tl.r's head, we know not* but it is furprizing that, if he did get fix lejfons in compofition from that great mailer or any other, he fhould be ignorant that mufic for F. Horns cannot be played by thofe of P. He has favoured the public with an opera wrote by his great patron Mr. C-mb-rl--d. Alas, poor Calypfo ! in which opera Mr. B-tl-r has endeavoured to whifper to the audience the idea of a ftorm by the fort zephyrs of a love- breeze, ti turn ti-ring it throughout moft ajfetted- ly. We believe this gentlemen ftept forward as a finging-mafter, but, like other great men, and equally capable, teaches to play the harpfi- chord, and has compofed a fet of leffons for that inftrument, though incapable (perhaps) of play- ing what he has writtem -

CR.M.R.

r 15 )

C R V M . R.

A German. Gives to the world the Concertos which he generally plays, as his own, though 'tis whifpered that B-ch (to whom the lovers of mu- fic are much indebted for the importation of this gentleman ) aflifts him to melodize, as well as harmonize, before he ventures to produce any thing for the public ear. As a performer, his abi- lities are of the very firrc rank. His execution is rapid and clean, his tones full and even, particu- larly fo fince his good fenfe permitted that great matter Giardini to new model the firings and bow of his inftrument. We mufl not omit his playing at fight with great facility.

C . . T . R.

An Irifhman, from Dublin, bred up in the ca- thedrals of that city. As a compofer, his lefibns have norhing either of the rapidity or expreflion which he difplays in his performance. Two ex- - cepted, 3d and 6th Op. prima, the beft in the can- tabile ftyle fince Domenico Alberti's days. His opera of the Rival Candidates is very pretty, and . C 2 ftill

( » >

flill a favourite ; and we think the temper! fong in that opera -, iea-fight fong in the Milefian fan- other of his operasj ; a Vauxhall fong beginning * O Nanny/' and " Tally ho," the bed defcrip- tions of fuch various and oppofite characters we know of. Mr. G-rt-r muftnot, however, engrofs the whole of this eulogium. We hope he will permit us to divide fome little of it betwixt Mr. B-nn-ft-r and Mrs. Wr-gTit-n, in tHeir perform- ance of the fea-fight and hunting fongs. As a performer, his talents are of the firft clafs, particu- larly on the piano forte. The chronicles of his country fay that he was an organift, and could play, nay tranfpofe, at fight, the ' book being turned topfy-turvy,'^ at ten years old. The Irifli legends being in general not much to be relied on, we can't implicitly believe all of this -t though we acknowledge his great readinefs, at prefent, in playing at fight.

COKE, DO C X O R.

Handel was afked why he did not take his de- gree : — he replied c< Vat de'dyfil I trow my " money avay-fur dat de blockhead wi(h, — I

<c no

( 1 7 )

" no vant." Far be it from us to apply that epi- thet to Doctor C— ke; but, as he has taken his degree, we wifli he had given us an opportunity to judge either of his compofitions or his per- formance.

He is, however, the editor of

, and is an organifc of Weftminfler Abbey, in both which capacities, his induftry to collect his half-guinea fubfcriptions, and fecure the reverfions of organift places, are fuper- eminent.

C£&. rik e-rld-L-

. CL.M.NTI.

An Italian. Has compofed Tome fetts of lef- fons, which abound in paffages fo peculiar and dif- ficult, that it is evident they mult have been prac- tifed for years preceding their publication.

We particularly allude to the fuccellions of oc- taves with which he has crammed his lefTons. Mr. C. executes thofe exceedingly well, and is a mod brilliant performer.

CR.SD.LL.

I 18 )

C R . S D . L L.

Aw Englifhman ,- who, before the arrival of Dupbrt, the celebrated violoncello in this coun- try, was efleemed a performer of tolerable abili- ties. Stimulated by the example^ and improved by the inftruction of that great mafter, he has TiCen to the highefl perfection. We wifh him to have a greater variety, and better mufic for his fblos.

C.'RV.TTO,

A performer on the violoncello of fuch equal merit with Crofdill, that Mr. Bach retains both at R-is concert. We wifh that this gentleman's ex- ertions to pleafe were not fometimes defeated by a difagreeable noife.

D . B D . N.

An Englifhman, firrt made himfelf known to the world by the Padlock, the mufic of which has great merit, and has univerfally pleafed. It is remarkable, that the bed fongs in that petite

piece*

( »9 )

piece, fuch as " Dear heart !" " Gh wherefor c " this terrible hurry ?" and others, which have ftrong character and genius in them, are fcareely noticed, whilft'the trifling fongs of cc Say, littles u foolifh, fluttering thing," and " Was I a fhep- ** herd's maid," have had great applaufe. The mufic of the Waterman is in the fame predica- ment ; for the beft fong in the whole piece, " Then farewell, my trim-built wherry !" is al- moit unnoticed. His Quaker's fong, " Merrily, " ah J" " Blow high, blow low," £C Sweet Willy " O," and many others, bear great marks of ori- ginal genius, which it is to be lamented has not been nurtured by proper inftrudlion, and im- proved by regular ftudy.

D U P U . S.

A very little mufician indeed ; yet, upon due consideration, he muft be a great one, for he is a King's organijf.

D I \ T Z.

A German, whofe compofitions and perform* ances would have ftill continued in the oblivion

th*y

( 20 ) »

they were in for years, if the novelty of Backers^ piano forte, which was exhibited at the Thatched- houfe, and Shudi's improvement on the harpfi- chord, on both of which Mr, Di-tz .fame how or other was permitted to perform, had not recom- mended him to the notice of one lady in particu- lar, who, from a goodnefs of heart, for which Die is well known, got him fome bufmefs.

F . S H . R, DOCTOR.

Bred up in the houfe of Lord Tyrawley, where he was inftructed by Mr. Pinto. If the Doctor ihould fail to become a great compofer, it will- not happen through indolence, as we learn he is indefatigable. We are therefore the lefs inclined to credit the afiertions of 'that great and multifarious compc/er, Mr. H--k, who fcrupled not to fay, that he had wrote every thing to which Doctor F-fh-r's name was affixed. To this we ihall only remark, that if ever he was employed by Doctor F. to compofe for him, it muft have been under the feal of fecrecy, which Hook's breaking, we cannot palliate or excufe. As a performer, the Doctor has great fire and execution, and is daily improving in his tones and we think that,

if

( 21 )

if lie was not quite fo eager to fhew his command Over the violin, and would blend fomewhat more of the piano with his. forte, but above all, never to tranfgrefs tjie rules of accompariying, by play- ing an ottave higher than the notes before hirrij he would be a very excellent leader;

F . S G H * R.

A German ; the very celebrated performer ori the hautboy. As a compofer, his defire to be original* often produces thoughts whimfical and outree, and which nothing but his playing could cover. His tone ('though not that of the haut- boy, being between that and the clarinet) is very fine, and inexpreflibly well managed;

F L O R I O;

A Saxon. He has publifhed fome mufick 3 but never having heard himfelf* or any one elfe., play that mufic, we fhall pafs it over. As a per- former on the flute, his tone is full and round, yet fometimes forced. If he did not fall into the common vice of folo performers, attempting to D fur-

( it )

furprize more than to pleafe, we mould give him unlimited praife for his performance on an inftru- ment -, the efTence of which is expreflion, and not execution;

G - A R D I . L

An Italian, who, from his entree into London above -thirty years fince, into London, has fupported that pre-eminence, which, as the coith pofer of an infinity of charming folos and concer- tos, he is fo well entitled to * and as a performer, ivhofe mellifluous tone, knowledge of bowing, and of the finger-board of the violin, feem unat- tainable. This is the miJfical creed, which that very capital performer, Cramer, fo readily fub- fcribed to, when he judicioufly permitted Giardini to change his firings and bow; a circumilance attended with fuch good fenfe and modefly on one fide, and difintereflednefs on the other, that we can't fufficiently commend it.,

We know G i is not efleemed the moil able

harmoniil j but fuch talents as he pofTeiTes, ought, nay do amply cover, zf.ngular bajs which may

fame-

( 23 )

fometimes occur in a folo, or a feries of thin har- monies in a concerto.

He has compofed an Oratorio. But, as per- fection flike the longitude^ has never yet been found, we are con (trained to fpeak of it Rafter thofe of the immortal HandeU as a pretty Italian Juftring compared with Englifh brocade.

He has aifo compofed leflbns and quintettos for the harpfichord, which we dare fay the univerfa- lity of his genius has enabled him to play.

It would have been inexcufable to have forgot- ten his ability as a leader.' He is the only perfon who, to attain *he fame kind of exprejfibn in a paf- fage, obliges all thofe who play from one part to bow alike ; and thefe flirong proofs of his feelings and judgment, he extends to the tenor and vio- loncello. His commands are fo abfolute, yet convincing, that it would be as criminal to neg- lect his motions, as for a Pruffian foldier to ftep out of his rank.

D 2 G I O R-

C 24 )

£fi^0-~^&l O^n^

G I O R D A

An Italian. For feveral years connected with a troop of Italian ^rollers. With thefe he tra- verfed Italy and Germany, in their way to Eng- land. In the various fcenes they efcaped, our Signior picked up and retained many of thofe motivos and passages, which he has fince pre- fented to the public.

From England he went into Ireland, where he became acquainted with Tenducct, who was ihortly after confined for marrying a lady of that country, and prefuming he. would not be libe- rated, had the ingenuity to produce three trios of Tenducci's, which the world gave him credit for as his own, and he never undeceived them. He has been fo obliging as to put together a paf- fage of Bach, another of this mailer, a third of that mafter — a bit of one long, a fcrap of another, into the form of lejfons and concertos, which he CALLS.-ComDofing j indeed his application of the

term.

{ *5 )

term is apropos, for they are literally put to- gether,

Thefe he retails where he teaches, for *tis faid that he has fcholars on the harpfichord ; though* when he falls into company with a mafter of that inurnment, endeavours to make the folicitations of my lady, or the hon. Mrs. — — , not his pre- fumptioii) his excufe.

In a word, this modefl gentleman's productions are the Foundiing-hofpital of flolen., defaced mufic.

Like gvpries, left the brat be known, Defacing firfl — then claiming for his own*

-<£ Cur ffC .

G . R T H,

Of Durham. The compofer of feveral fetts of leffons for the Harpsichord, which, for the amount of their merit, might be procured much, cheaper, under the title of " Instructions for <f the Harpsichord, price is. 6d.

H . Y«

( * >

H . Y.

Master of the King's ftate-band in Ireland, the only patent-place in the mufical department. He was inftructed to play the violin in Italy by Tartini for feveral years, but received his firft im- preOions from Giardini, which it would feem were much the ftronger, as he brought nothing of Tartini out of Italy but his mufic. He is, on the whole, a very neat performer, and a tolerable imitator of Giardini' s tone and manner,

H . R R . P.

An Englifh lady, a finger. She is pofTefFed of one of the fineft foftenuto voices that ever was heard in this country. Her knowledge of mufick fhe derives from Joah Bates, efq. formerly Secre- tary to Lord Sandwich, and now Commiffioner of the Viclu ailing-office ; a gentleman of great abilities as a performer on the harpfichord, parti- cularly in playing the choruffes of Handel ; and of very extenfive knowledge of mufick. Her forte is the'affettuofo, which fhe difplays in a moil eminent and expreffive manner in the Irifh

long of " Anna."

HARPER

( 27 )

HARPER.

An Englifh lady, a finger, firfl apprentice to Theodore Smith, afterwards a fcholar of Arnold, and now of Sacchini. Her voice is not very flrong, but her ilyle and manner is exceedingly pleafing. Mifs Harper will, with attention, become one of the befl fingers in this or any other country.

H O . K.

Bred up to trade at Norwich. He early dif- clofed a love for mufic, and has, on all occasions, fhewn himfelf well acquainted with the works of the befl compofers. If a deluge fhould obliterate all traces of miific, and the elaborate works of this gentleman only efcape, they would ferve as an Ark to convey to pofterity a fatisfadtory idea of the mufic of all the compofers of this age.

Indeed Mr. Hook merits more praife than fome of his envious brethren will allow him, for his induftry to collect has been unceafing. <c On

" the

( 25 )

ct the Opening of the Artifls Room in the cc Strand" an Ode was performed, compofed by Mr. Hook. When the performance was over, fome of the conofcenti, difcuffing its merits, ap- pealed to Giardini, f who had conducted./' for his decifion j he aflerted, with peculiar gravity, that it was the beft mufic he had heard. " Why,'* fays one, C£ It is not all his own" <f True," re-* plied the keen Signor, " that is the reajon it is Jo " good:* Mr. H—k's afFedion for Mr. Bach's mufic has manifefted itfelf flike his fellow la- bourer Giordani^) in a variety of inftances, and emboldened by Bach*s acquiefcence in thefe li- berties, openly attacked his " Shady bleft re- tc treat" at Vauxhall, infomych that the modest Mrs. Weichfel blufhed, and cried fhame. How he treated a certain cc Lady of the Manor" at Co- vent Garden we wilh to forgot; but let us not omit to record his tittuping on the organ at Vauxhall.

H.W.RD.

H.W.RD, DOCTOR.

The compofer of feveral favourite airs about thirty years part. We wifh we could pay as much tribure to his mufical abilities, as the world uni- verfally ackhowledge to his goodnefs of heart.

J . C K S . N.

Of Exeter. This gentleman's efTays and pre- faces to his works he had better fpared, for they awakened criticifm to dilcover rather too many pecularities, and food for remark, than, perhaps, he dreamt of. His " Heavy hours" is a very fweer fong, and in a pathetic ftyle — the canzonet, " Time has not thinn'd my flowing hair" very pleafing, though there are fome pafTages in it> that are not juftifiable by the rules of thorough bafs.

K . N N . D Y.

An Englifh woman, apprenticed to the htc

Doctor Arne. She has the fmeft contr'alto voice

that has been heard for many years. Nature has

E been

( 3° )

been fo bountiful to her, that, on her ac- count, we hardly have occafion to lament the lofs of her able mailer, fo well qualified to teach her to fing and fpeak articulately.

K . L W . Y.

Harpsichord Matter Extraordinary to the Queen. Some leffons of his compofition, which fell under our infpection fome years ago, fhewed a peculiar knowledge of arpeggio and modulation. But his extempore playing on the organ at St. Martin's in the fields, baffles all defcription. Such exquifite flights, fancies, and execution, adapted to the inftrument, which few know or pra&ife, have not been exceeded, we may fay attempted, even by Handel, though the fuge, the tneer fage of the latter was greater.

It is currently reported that a " Cook has been promifed the reverfion of the great Kel way's place.

KE.B.E.

( 3* )

K E . B . E.

Organist of St. George's, Hanover fquare, which place he got by the decifion of Handel in his favour, in preference to one Matthifon, who was a very great player in the chromatic ftyle, but a madman.

Mr. Keeble's firfr. fett of Fugues, publifhed two years ago, are, with refpecl: to fugeing, (or lugging in the Jubjcff whereever and however you can) very good. His entremets, or flute-fwell, and eccho interlardings, are contemptible ; they are the dregs of the old-fafhioned, running paffages, iriftead of long-fwelling notes, or creeping inter- vals, which 'tis amazing the fwell or eccho flop does not dictate more frequently to organifts.

K . M M . L.

A German, formerly ( he fays ) an officer in the Pruffian fervice. He has publifhed feveral works, which Mr. Bach has, with great good-nature, af~ filled him in, as he has done for others. As a perfomer on the violin his talents are below me- E i diocrity j

( 3* )

diocrity ; and though he has compofed for the harpfichord, we know his talent for that inftru- ment is on a par with his violin performance.

L . N L . Y.

Formerly of Bath; now one of the Patentees of Drury-lane Theatre, the band of which he has very fenfibly ftrengtruned, and we hope his endea- vours may not be marred by the untoward difpo- fkions which he has to manage. This gentle- man's ftyle is undoubiedly his own ; but, though w~ are hippy to commend original gen:us, yet it does not always pleafe.

He had been a harpfichord-mafter at Bath for a long time. Of his talents in that fphere we are entirely uninformed. In his reputation as a ring- ing mafter he has been much affifted by the na- tive powers of his daughters.

L . L , r Y, MISS.

Daughter of the above gentleman, who, in our opinion, promifes to excel her lifter Mifs Linlevj who retired from the ftage two years ago*

and

( 33 )

and we think that fhe may poffibly approach the inimitable and expreffive manner of her eldeft lif- ter, Mrs. S n.

LA M . . T E.

Born in France, but fpent ten of his earlie** years in England ; he then went abroad, and re- turned five years fince. We know not from whom he received inftructions, nor does his ftyle feem to be the adoption of any particular mailer, but rarher an effort to play the mod difficult and ill-fuited paffages on the violin. We advife Mr. La Motte to endeavour at obtaining a tone. We think it is in his power. And if he is defirous of ever becoming a great performer, he mull not ihift from odtave to octave, but reflrain his exe- cution within the common extent of the ringer board.

L E B R . N.

A Frenchman, of great execution on the haut- boy j but fo inveterately addidted to chromaticks in his folos and cadences, that, whilft he perfe-

veres

( 34 )

veres in his affection, it will prove an invincible obftacle to his endeavours to pleafe.

LE BR.N, MADAME.

A German woman, wife of the above perfor* mer. The compafs of her voice is more exten-- five, and her tones more equal than thofe of any other female we have heard. She has been care- fully inftruc~r.ed, and has made good ufe of thofe inftructions, as me plainly proves by her excel- lent flyie, and judicious cadences.

L E . N I.

A Jew, formerly Clerk at the Synagogue, His feigned voice is entirely modelled on an imitation of the Italian caftrati. If he could paraphrafe. the tone of Mangoli, the expreffion of Tenducci, or the fhake of Roncaglio, we would applaud his en- deavours; but we really cannot praife a retail of Italian imperfections.

N . R . S.

( 3S )

N.R.S, DOCTOR.

A very good mufician, and a very refpectable man. For many years chief mafter for the harp- fichord at York, and its vicinage ; now organift of the King's chapel. Plays in a very good ftyle on the organ, and has compofed fome good church mufic.

N . R R . S.

An Englishman, a finger. Organift at Oxford. For fome time after his voice had arrived at ma- turity, he fang very agreeably, but lately his tones are monaftick and guttural. Oxford Chriftmas brawn has too much fattened his London Lent voice.

P . R S . N S.

Bred up in the choir of Weftminfter. Here- fided in Italy for fome time.

This gentleman never compofed, nor does he play on the harpfichord; but then his finging (meaning his voice and tafle) are, as we

prefume

( 3« )

prelume he thinks^ fufEcient to monopolize all merit. This we are apprehenfive he is Jo well Jatisfied of, that it fometimes lefTens the pleafure which (ferioufly fpeaking ) his ta- lents can beftow. As a Tinging matter we look on him to be eqnal to any in London, thoy he is not a foreigner.

P I . Z Z I.

An Italian. Came into this country about four years ago to teach iinging, for which he is very capable, having a flexible falfetto, though not a clear one. He runs divifions with great faci- lity, and lings with tafle, though 'tis the thou- Jandth edition of what we hear from Italians in ge- neral.

That the Italians can fingwith more expreftion, or rather Joftnejs, than the people of any other country, muft be allowed. - Why this is fo, we will not at prefent endeavour to accounc for, other than to fay their language is one of the principal caufes of this fuperiority. With fuch advantages, it is wonderful that they are in general poffeft of little tafte or fancy. For the juftice of this re- mark, we need only appeal to the recollection of

the

( 37 )

the frequenters of the Opera, where may be heard the fame finging out of tune, the fame improper manner of catching at a note, inftead of coming to it at once, the fame cadences, and in a word fo little variation of ftyle or exprefiion, that, was not a new name announced, we fliould hardly fup~ pofe the finger ever was changed. This remark being a general one, is not directed to Signor FiOzzi. He too has cOrtipofed leflbns for the harpficliord. We imagine that the air of this country has the peculiar quality of endowing thofe with ability for the harp/ichord, who, in their own country (Italy for example) are never fufpected of fuch a talent.

MCH..R.TTL

An Italian, firft feriou's finger at the Opera. His fame has founded through Italy for many years a*s their bed finger j but he has not favoured lis in this country with a fpecimen of any fuch extraordinary talents. Signor Pachierotti is not young; he fings horribly out of tune j his voice is cracked j and his manner is indifferent. We muft therefore conclude that, if ever he was fo ■ _ F fuper-

( 3* )

fuperlatively great, his prime is long fince

elapfed.

P . R K.

An Englishman. A very excellent performer on the hautboy. He need not blufh to own that he owes. much of his improvement to Fifcher. We do not mean that he received inftrudtions from Fifcher ; but hearing fo great a peformer, has flimulated him to practice what he heard, and he has made a rapid progrefs towards perfection. His accompanying a voice is particularly delicate. He often \sfword-bearer at Vauxhall, a ceremony which we think neceflary to explain. Whoever is to play a folo, is prefented by the mafter of the ceremonies in the green-room with a hilt, for it has been, doubted whether there was a blade an- nexed thereto, with which hilt he is begirt, and ftruts through the crowd into the oreneftfal When the folo is over, the performer is difarmed, and the hilt hangs over the chimney, for the next folo player. Often has the curiofity of Mrs. Wrighten tugged at this hilt, but fhe never was able to unfcabbard the contents,

P.NTO,

( 39 )

P . N T O.

A Portugueze. One of the greateft perform- ers on the violin. A bold-fpirited leader, and plays at fight fo familiarly, that he oftener turns the book upfide-down, than plays in the common way. With uncommon natural gifts, poor Pinto was indolent, lazy, and whimfical to fuch an ex- cefs, as to give reafon to imagine that he was not at all times compos mentis. We lament his banifh- ment to Ireland.

P O Z . I, S I G N O R A.

An Italian. One of the Buffa's at the Opera. She has a very fine voice, and is a very fine wo- mam Though flie has been under a great many men of ability, (he ftill wants instruction.

R A . Z Z . N I.

An Italian. Formerly fir ft ferious finger at the. Opera, and the belt actor fince Gua- dagni. As he pOiTeiTes no uncommon ex- tent, exprefiion, or tone in his voice, we

F a are

( 4o )

are at a lofs to account for his favourable recep- tion. He now teaches to fing ; and, as the Signor has undoubtedly fine teeth, he takes care to exhibit them as much as pofiible, by doling them and ftretching his mouth as wide at poflible ; and exhorts his pupils to do the fame, as the beft method, of learning. Sig- nor Rauzzini is an at-all in compofition. Songs, duos, trios, quartettos, and operas, flow from his pen, equally good j but how can we fraife his accompanied recitativos ? — hi* harpfi chord UJJonsl

s> £

R . S H.

Composer of an opera called the Royal Shep- herd, performed fome years ago at Co vent -garden theatre. Which opera, though affifted by the powers of Tenducci and Crenonini, proved a meer Rufh-light. This is not difficult to account for, when we confider that the mufick was an indif- ferent attempt at Italian pathos. The favourite fong in that opera, " Vows of love," differs v^ry little

from

( 41 )

from a favourite rondeau in Giardini's opera of Ezio, performed and publifhed many years be- fore. Mr. Rum has compofed leflbns and con- certos for the harpfichord, which are fufficiehtly iliuftrative of 'his powers on that inftrument, without any remark from us.

R I C H . : D S.

An Englifhman. Firfl violin at Drury-lane theatre. We are quite unhappy that Mr. Giar- dini, and others, who have alphabetical prece- dence of Mr. Richards, have quite exhausted our ftock of compliments : we therefore requeft Mr. Richards to accept fincerity, in lieu of flattery. We pronounce Mr. Richards a regularly rude, rugged, rough rafper.

ST.M.TZ.

( 42 )

T Z.

A German, fon of Stamitz, the compofer of fome overtures in a fuperlative fryle.1 The Ton is a good theorift, and has alfo compofed fome things which do him much credit. His tenor playing is very great, and he only wants a little affettuofoto be intermixed with it, to make it ca* pital. His violin performance is very inferior.

S N V W.

An Englifhman. A performer on the harpfi- chord of fuch rapidity and execution, as indifput- ably entitle him to be called a matter. It is. amazing that, whilft we have men of fuch execu- tion and knowledge of fingering, as Mr. Snow, and others whom we have pointed out, that fuch fwarms of bunglers fhould receive countenance in obtruding on the publick their inftrudtions and compofitions.

S.CCH.NI.

E 43 )

S , C C H . N I.

An Italian. The deity of harmony and melody, the Orpheus of this age. As a compofer, his talents are immenfe. The fublimity of his choruffes, the expreffion of his accompanied recitativo's, the fulnefs, yet blended harmony of his inftru mental parts, and the beautiful fimplicity of his fubjecls, are fo extraordinary, that we wonder they are pof- feffed by one man. Sacchini's abilities are notr withftanding confined to operatic performances. His inftrumental productions are much inferior.

S . S T . N I.

An Italian woman. Tres jolie, bien decouplee, and the belt Buffa that we have had fmce Zampa- rinij but her voice is very thin, and her excel- lence almoft entirely depends on her action.

S T . N L . Y.

An Englilhman, and an old organifr, lately ap- pointed Mailer of the King's Band, and Compofer to his Majefty., His voluntaries for the organ are

not

[ 44 )

not extraordinary. He adagios common place preparations and refolutions, the fugues, a feries of imitations, often miltaken for fugeing, and thofe movements for the Mute fwel], or echo flops, are erroneous in their application, and indifferent in their ilyle.

SM.TH, alias S C H M . D T.

A German. Formerly in the fuite of Lord Rivers, and fince warmly efpoufed by a Bi- Jbop. The Mufical Catalogue tells us of his rma Opera 2da ad infinitum , but this is all we know of his works. Inafmuch as his Mu- fical Directory profeffes to teach the harpfichord without the afliftance of amafrer, we think his at- tendance at the boarding-fchool for which it was written, implies fome trifling-contradiction.

S . H R . E T . R.

A German. He has compofed the harpfichord part of fome concertos; the accompaniments are written by Mr. Bach : they are neither very new, nor ver" flrikine. The 6th of thefe concertos he

plays

C 45 )

plays in a very elegant and mafterly flyle -, his ca- dences are well imagined, and if his penchant was not rather to play rapidly than al core, he Would excel on the piano fortes

T . C . T.

A performer of great eminence on the German flute, to which inftrument he has tacked an un- heceflafy number of keys. We decide on them as unneceflary, becaufe Florio, with at leaft an equal power and compafs, plays without them. Tacet has compofed, but we never have feen or heard his works. He has very great execution, though not greater than Florio's \ nor is his tone lb generally foft or pleafing. f

T . N D . C . L

An Italian, defervedly of the greateft reputa- tion for cantabile finging of any caftrato that has appeared in this country. His ftyle is formed on that of Caffarelli, by whom he was inftrudted. Tho' his notes are few, he has not been exceeded by Egiziello, nor any other of his cotemporaries.

G ' As

( 4^ )

As a compofer, his tafte is very pleafing. The Trios (which Prince Pilferini purloined from him) and numberlefs Rondeaus which he has fung and publiihed, are decided examples to fupport our opinion.

T ' R . B . I.

■

The firft Buffa at the Opera. He has a tenor voice, and is an excellent finger -, and mod ad- mirable actor.

V . C H . N.

A Frenchman, who came here in the fuite of Monf. le Comte de Guines, a late French ambaf- fador. His compofitions are in the moft pecu- liar ftyle, and to be properly expreffed, require

the bow of Mr. V n. This peculiarity is

much leffened by hearing his mufick frequently. It required no fmall fhare of ability in mufick, and induflrie, for Vachon to fecure a comfortable refidence in this country, amongft fo many able mailers. But his politicks and his fiddle .aflifted each other.

V.RN.N*

( 47 )

V . R N . N.

An Englifhman. When a boy, had a fins voice. When that left him, it is much to. be re- gretted its lofs was not compenfated by one equally good, as his talent for acting is by much the bell on the flage. 'Tis that qualification only, which has kept him engaged for fo many years paft. He is afliduous, and always perfect.

WESTLEY.

Sons of the celebrated J. Weftley, the well- known difciple of the famous Whitfield. The characteric feature of the father, may be plainly traced in the performances of the fons, who, though they are certainiy not uninftructed in the rules of mufic, feem to write more from the mifta- ken infpiration of the new light, and the inflam- matory fuggeilions of over-heated devotion, than a careful attention to the principles of the fcience. A climax of methodiftical flights, or a melancho- ly reiteration of gloomy pafTages, alternately pre- dominate in all their compofitions ; and as joy or grief happen to take the lead in their minds, fo

G 2 do

( 4S )

do their productions afiume the complexion of intemperate zeal, or the hypochrondriac langour of fanatic defperation. In fhort, they feem in- duftrious to pradtife in this tranfitory ftate, that Ipecies of harmony which they think mofl likely to qualify them for cherubimical or feraphimical hallelujahs.

W R I G H T E N,

An Englifh woman, who, in fpite of a bad perfon, and plainnefs of face, is a very great fa^ vourite with the publick. She commands atten- tion and applaufe, by an extenfive, well-toned., powerfull voice, and/ome good acting.

Mrs. and Miss W..CHS.L

Mrs. Weichfel, a German. She fings at Vaux- hall. Ker voice is excellent, and capable of great exertions, if an habitual lifblenefs did not counteract her natural gifts. Her daughter plays on the harpfichord. She is an extraordinary per- former of her age -, but practice, not genius, oia

the

( 49 )

the knowlege of good fingering, has produced her merit.

W . B S T , R.

An Englishman. This gentleman, by mofl happily and clofely uniting a prodigious fine- toned falfetto to a good bafs for tenor bafsJ voice, produces an extent hitherto not heard at our the- atres. His judgment may be afcertained by the l-eadinefs with which he fings at fight ; his know- ledge of expreffion, by the feelings which he in- fufes; and the flexibility of his voice, by his ca- dences, which are>at once elegant, judicious, and critically executed.

Such an acquifition was as unexpected as it was pleafing, and being invaluable, it ought to be cherifhed.

W.RG.N, DOCTOR.

An Englifhman. Received the firft rudiments of time, by turning over the leaves of the organ - book, above fifty years ago, at Vauxhall, for Mr. Gladwin, then organift. When the latter abdi- cated.,

( S° )

cated, he fucceeded, but did not hold his place long. He fays he was inftructed by "Gemini - ani. But that is doubtfull. The Doctor being fenfible of his deficiency, endeavors to conceal it, by affecting the foreign accent of Ge- miniani '; adopting the mod extravagant gefcures ; and by nodding, winking, pointing with his fin- ger, and fmiling, induces fome to think him jnfane. The Doctor is- the compofer of an oratorio, which was performed once, and was in fuch a fublime ftyle, as to be above all comprehenfion : and a fett of leffons alfo, at the beginning of which there is a Nota Bene, that, cc Whereas there are divevs errors and violations <c of air and harmony in [hefe leffons, the per- " former is defired to excufe them, on account fC of their effect." Bravo, braviffimo, Cog- lioniiTimo Dottore ! Scarlatti was nobody, com- pared to you : for though that great and original -mailer, in a fenfible Preface to his LeiTbns, excufes the fuccefiions of perfect fifths to be fouud therein, no one has fince ventured to think they could ufe them with fuch judgment or effect, but the inimitable Doctor Worgan.

Z I N-

■

( si ;

Z I N Z E N;

A German, an operator who has, by his inflructions, furnifhed great employment for thofe mailers who have been obliged to de- decroter his fcholars. We Ihould have omitted his name, if it had not concluded the Alphabet.

CATLEY, MISS.

(Omitted in her alphabetical place)

An Englilh woman, who above twenty years ago firft made her appearance on the flage, where fhe diftinguifhed herfelf by the moll agreeable aflurance that ever was exhibited to the public in female attire.

Her voice was prodigioufly fine, of wonderful extent and power ; but her manner in diametrical oppofition to all rules of fcience.

FINIS.

t

.*+*