...[T]o the oratorio of Jonathan at the Chiesa Nuova, which not being either well set or well sung, after the 1st part was over I went to another at St. Gerolamo della Carità, which had only 3 characters in it - the subject was the Judgment of Solomon - the tenor was admirable - had great taste and facility of execution - and one of the mothers, a castrato, had a sweet toned voice and sung in a very pleasing manner. The subject seems extreamly well adapted for musical expression, the stern note of the judge, the indifference of the false mother and the tenderness of the true, are all susceptible of musical colouring. The music, far from bad, was by a young composer who had begged employment in order to have an opportunity of displaying his talents. His name is Giuseppe Maria Magherini.