- Performer Name:
- Sgricci
- Performance Venue:
- Turin
- Performance Date:
- Author:
- Date Written:
- Language:
- English
- Publication Title:
- The Literary Gazette
- Article Title:
- Polite Literature: Sgricci the Celebrated Improvisatore
- Page Numbers:
- 1: 278
- Additional Info:
- No. 18
- Publisher:
- H. Colburn
- Place of Publication:
- London
- Date Published:
- 1817
Text:
Signor Tommaso Sgricci lately gave a remarkable proof of his poetical talents, in the Theatre Sulera at Turin. He improvisated first a Canzone in blank verse, the subject of which was "The Predictions of Cassandra;" then an Elogy, in stanzas of three verses, on the death of Françoise de Rimini;* and, lastly, a Tragedy, the subject of which, decided, as usual, by lots, was "Atreus and Thyestes." The astonishing rapidity with which this poet chooses the place and time of action, creates the character, and plans the story; the energy of the thoughts, the splendour of the images, the harmony of the verse, the elevation of style in the choruses, and the gloomy and tragic character of the denouement, were a subject of unceasing admiration to the audience, which burst forth in the most rapturous acclamations.
We embrace with pleasure this opportunity to announce that Signor Sgricci has obtained in all the great cities in Italy, splendid testimonies of the esteem due to his admirable talent. The Philharmonic Society of Milan, the Musical Society of Bologna, and the Academy of Pesaro, have, among others, given him magnificent gold medals, to perpetuate the memory of his brilliant successes. That of Bologna, which is of the most exquisite workmanship, bears the following inscription:—" Societas Bononiensis ad acroamata, 1816; and on the reverse, Th. Sgriccio Domo atretio annor. XXIII. Lyr. tragœd. ix. extemp. pang. fid. omnium supergresso.
* Our readers will recollect that this event has furnished Dante with one of his finest episodes.
Notes:
- Collected by:
- CB