“Of Medea: An Improvisated Tragedy, by Sgricci” (The Literary Gazette)

The correspondent praises the young Sgricci’s well-received improvisation of Medea in Turin.

Performer Name:
Sgricci
Performance Venue:
Turin
Performance Date:
 
Author:
 
Date Written:
 
Language:
English
Publication Title:
The Literary Gazette
Article Title:
Of Medea: An Improvisated Tragedy, by Sgricci
Page Numbers:
1: 149
Additional Info:
No. 10
Publisher:
H. Colburn
Place of Publication:
London
Date Published:
1817

Text:

TURIN, MARCH 6—The celebrated Improvisatore Sgricci, who is come here from Rome, excites the admiration of all who hear him. In an assembly, which was held yesterday evening at the Count of Caluso's, this young poet improvisated a tragedy, the subject of which was decided by drawing lots. It was Medea. Unbounded applause was bestowed on this extraordinary effort, which surpasses every thing that has hitherto been heard, even in Italy, where composition ex abrupto, aided by the genius of the language, is very common among young people, who have a little poetical talent, and a little learning to turn it to advantage.—An earlier effort of Sgricci's was a tragedy on the story of Jephtha.

Notes:

 

Collected by:
CB