John Evelyn in London - 19 November, 1674

from Diary of John Evelyn, 19 November 1674, page 202:

[November] 19 I heard that stupendious Violin Signor Nicholao (with other rare Musitians) whom certainly never mortal man Exceeded on that Instrument: he had a stroak so sweete, & made it speake like the Voice of a man; & when he pleased, like a Consort of severall instruments: he did wonders upon a note: was an excellent Composer also: here was also that rare Lutinist Dr. Wallgrave: but nothing approch'd the Violin in Nicholas hand: he seem'd to be spiritato'd & play'd such ravishing things on a ground as astonish'd us all:
cite as

John Evelyn, Diary of John Evelyn, 19 November 1674. In De la Bédoyère, Guy (ed.), The Diary of John Evelyn (Woodbridge, 1995), p. 202. https://led.kmi.open.ac.uk/entity/lexp/1408486365000 accessed: 29 March, 2024

location of experience: London

Listeners

John Evelyn
Diarist, Writer
1620-1706

Listening to

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violin music upon a ground performed by Nicola Matteis

Experience Information

Date/Time 19 November, 1674
Medium live
Listening Environment in the company of others, indoors, in public

Originally submitted by isobel.1111 on Tue, 19 Aug 2014 23:12:45 +0100