Letter from Paul Hainlein to Friedrich Behaim, 13 December 1647

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

572–573

text excerpt

As regards music I heard some last Saturday in San Francesco [della Vigna] in or before Vespers, also on Sunday at Mass and then again at night, which began at 7 p.m.  This was performed on the Feast of the Conception of Our Lady [8 December] when a platform was set up.  The musicians on it consisted of 3 discant singers, 3 altos, 3 tenors and 3 basses in consort, also 4 violins, 2 viole da brazzo, 4 trombones, in ripieno 10 persons, 3 positives among which Signor Cavalli played.

                The psalms were Dixit Dominus, Laudate pueri, Laetatus sum, Nisi Dominus, Lauda Jerusalem, also a hymn [Ave maris stella] before the Magnificat, and after it Alma Redemptoris mater.  Between each psalm a motet or a sonata was given.  In one composition a bass and a treble singer from Rome sang a motet on the Virgin, with interpolated words from Psalm xlvi, about the destruction of the Turk’s power, breaking his shield and bows, burning his warships and boats, and hurling his entire forces into the sea.  There was also a monk who played solo violin, the like of which I have never heard before, unless it were one of the Emperor’s [Ferdinand III] violinists. The music was by Signor Rovetta.

                The church was hung with beautiful paintings and ornamented with many lights.  The music would have been more ample if there had not been also a service in the Frari, so that the musicians had to divide up.

excerpt from 'Letter from Paul Hainlein to Friedrich Behaim, 13 December 1647' pp. 572–573 (242 words)

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