The Improvisation of Poetry, 1750 – 1850
A database of commentaries on improvisational performance
Blessington describes and records a performance by Signor Leoni, in which the latter improvises a poem on the death of Lord Byron. Blessington also discusses the gift of genius required for improvisational poetry, and her experience of watching improvised performances in Italy.
Brun reflects on her enjoyment of the company of the improvisatore Gaspare Mollo, whose fine character and poetic talents she appreciates. She also describes the improvisatore Colubrano, who she claims has a skill of reading his audience’s mind that borders on telepathy, and whose verses are beautiful also. In a note, she mentions Colubrano’s death in Munich at age 45.
In a series of annotations, Bernoulli provides brief descriptions of some currently and recently living improvisatori.
Lalande lists and describes the most celebrated improvisatori in Italy, and claims that Lorenzi is the best.
Lady Morgan describes the impressive talents of the improvisatore Gabriele Rossetti, and continues with an account of a performance by another improvisatore, Ferretti, whom she also admires.