Rambles in Italy; in the years 1816 – 1817 By an American

urn:iso:std:iso:639:ed-3:eng

91-93

text excerpt

I confess when I saw the Venetians thrown into ecstacies by Veluti's voice, I could scarcely suppress the doubt, that this population of Sybarites was once the formidable republick, which resisted the league of Cambray. The talents, however, of this Soprano, are wonderful, and they appeared the more so to me, as I saw him in competition with Tramezani, the hero of the London opera, and who is so justly celebrated for the beauty of his recitation, the force and expression of his intonations, and the grace and majesty of his gestures. I saw them together in Mayer's beautiful opera of Lodoiska, and although I admired the grace and energy of Tramezani's acting, his voice appeared to me, if I may be allowed the expression, to be cast into the shade by the overpowering brilliancy of Veluti's. As to Bassi, the rival of Catalani, I never witnessed an exhibition of her powers, or heard her inimitable tones, that I was not ready to explain with Milton's Comus,

Sure something holy lodges in that breast,
And with these raptures moves the vocal air,
To testify his hidden residence.

 How potent then must be the allurements of the Opera, when to the powers of these matchless artists, are added the charm of poetical numbers, and the magical embellishments of dress and scenick decoration.

excerpt from 'Rambles in Italy; in the years 1816 – 1817 By an American' pp. 91-93 (221 words)

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1516545661904