“Inedited Letters of Celebrated Persons” (Mrs. Piozzi)
Piozzi writes of hearing Giannetti improvise a eulogy, and contrasts him with those who improvise verses to music.
The Improvisation of Poetry, 1750 – 1850
A database of commentaries on improvisational performance
Piozzi writes of hearing Giannetti improvise a eulogy, and contrasts him with those who improvise verses to music.
The author gives a romanticized biography of La Bandettini’s education and travels, and describes how one of her performances saved her country from peril.
Piozzi describes her experience of poetic improvisation in Italy. While visiting Ferrara, she recalls the performance of the improvisatore Talassi in London in 1770, which brings about reflections on the practice of poetic improvisation in general. In Florence, she notes the fading voice of the aging Corilla, whose character however remains as sharp and humorous as ever, and emphasizes the charm of the younger and more beautiful Fantastici. Piozzi also praises the talents of the Abate Lorenzi and the Abate Bertola and comments on written and oral improvisation of Latin verses.