Sgricci – Page 3 – The Improvisation of Poetry, 1750

Lord Byron, “Letter to Thomas Moore, 6 November 1816”

Byron writes of Sgricci’s controversial performance in Milan.

Louis Crivelli, “Improvisation de M. Sgricci.”

The author provides an enthusiastic review of the improvisatore Sgricci’s performance of Missolonghi in Paris, noting the intense impression the performance made on the audience.

Louis Simond, A Tour in Italy and Sicily

Simond begins with an anecdote of Sgricci’s improvisation of the Death of Socrates. He also describes in detail Sgricci’s performance of the tragedy of Sophonisba and the audience’s favourable reception. He mentions that improvisation is like any other habit.

Louis Simond, Voyage en Italie et en Sicile

M. Valery [Antoine Claude Pasquin], Historical, Literary, and Artistical Travels in Italy, A Complete and Methodical Guide for Travellers and Artists

The author recounts the decline of improvisation in Florence, and alludes to the former fame of improvisatori such as Sgricci, and before him Fra Filippo, who was one of the great improvisatori of the sixteenth century. The second excerpt is a brief mention of Fantastici, who in addition to improvising, also devoted herself to translation.

M. Valery [Antoine Claude Pasquin], Voyages historiques et littéraires en Italie, pendant les années 1826, 1827 et 1828; ou L’Indicateur Italien

The author recounts the decline of improvisation in Florence, and alludes to the former fame of improvisatori such as Sgricci, and before him Fra Filippo, who was one of the great improvisatori of the sixteenth century. In the second excerpt, he mentions seeing the crown Corilla received at the Capitol for her achievements as an improvisatrice.

Madame Charles de Montpezat, Mes Souvenirs du Piémont

De Montpezat discusses the physical stress that accompanies improvisation, and bemoans the fact that improvisatori are so little respected in their art that they strain themselves beyond their capacities and meet an early death.

Mariana Starke, Travels in Europe between the Years 1824 and 1828

Although she reports on an occasion when they were not present, Starke takes the opportunity to describe the talents of Sgricci and Taddei.

Mary Shelley, The Journals of Mary Shelley: 1814-1844

A series of excerpts from Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s journals, and accompanying notes, describing her encounters with the improvisatori Sgricci and Gabriele Rossetti, in Lucca and Pisa respectively.

Mary Shelley, The Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (Letter to Leigh Hunt, 3 December 1820)

Shelley informs Hunt about new acquaintances she has made in Italy, among them Sgricci. She provides a first impression of the topics on which he speaks and the theatrical nature of his performances.

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, “Letter to Claire Clairmont, [14-15] January 1821”

Shelley recounts her experience of two performances at Lucca, one of which was an improvisation by Sgricci on the subject of Ignez di Castro, which Shelley very much enjoyed. Shelley also describes various aspects of her social life at Lucca and Pisa, including her acquaintance with Sgricci himself, and her opinion of his character.

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, “Letter to Claire Clairmont, 21 [24] January 1821”

Shelley describes an enchanting performance by Sgricci on the Death of Hector and recounts her later conversation with Sgricci about the performance.

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, “Letter to Leigh Hunt, 29 December 1820 [1 January 1821]”

Shelley describes a performance by Sgricci in Pisa, of Iphigenia in Tauris. Shelley was very impressed by Sgricci’s improvisation and expresses her regret at the Pisans’ lack of appreciation for his art.

O. L. B. Wolff, “Improvisation, Improvisatoren, Improvisiren”

In an encyclopedia entry on improvisers and improvisation, Wolff provides a discussion of the relation between the development of the art of improvisation and the geography and spirit of each nation. He also provides a brief history of improvisation and mentions some of the most important contemporary improvisers.

Percy Bysshe Shelley, The Letters of Percy Bysshe Shelley

Percy Shelley expresses his disdain for Sgricci’s stories about the Neapolitans and their lack of nationalism.

Pietro Giordani, “Of Sgricci and the Improvisers in Italy” (“Intorno allo Sgricci ed agl’ Improvvisatori in Italia”)

Giordani’s article, structured as a series of questions and answers, assesses the merits of Sgricci’s talent and of improvisation more generally. He concludes that the value of improvisation is constantly over-estimated in Italy, and that it would be better to divert the skills of the improvisatori to art-forms that require more time, labour, and study.

Review of La Morte di Carlo Primo re d’Inghilterra, Tragedie, en cinq actes, improvisée par M. T. Sgricci

Reviewing the published version of Sgricci’s tragedy, Stendhal recalls his experience of the improvisatore’s live performances. Although Sgricci’s performances are powerful in the moment, when written down and meditated on later, his verses lack originality and beauty. Stendhal also reports seeing Sgricci improvise the fifth act of Othello.

Tag: Sgricci