“A French Improvisateur”
The French improviser Pradel is reported to have challenged the Italians in the art of improvising drama.
Tag: Pradel
“Briefauszug. Herr Eugène de Pradel”
This excerpt from a letter disparages improvisation as an art, instead likening it to a bureau such as Eugène de Pradel is reported to have established in Paris, where cash is exchanged for all manner of poetic products. The correspondent regards improvisation, especially the improvisation of tragedies in the style of Sgricci and Pradel, as a skill that resembles the combinatorics of medieval philosopher Raimundus Lullus.
“Continental Chit-Chat” (The Court Magazine – Literary Notices)
A performance by Pradel is mentioned, with the note that the author wishes that the improvisatore would attempt to improvise comedy rather than just tragedy.
“Foreign Correspondence – Paris” (The Literary Magnet)
A news article mentions upcoming performances of improvised tragedy by Sgricci and Pradel in Paris.
“Foreign Varieties: France” (The New Monthly Magazine)
The author reports on Pradel’s improvisation of a tragedy about Columbus, which had an enthusiastic reception in Paris.
“French Literature of the Day” (Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine)
A report on contemporary French literature mentions several poets who improvise, as well as a performance by Eugene de Pradel, who is reported to infect his audience with his nervous delivery.
“Improvvisatori” (Chambers’ Edinburgh Journal)
The article provides a brief history of the origins of improvisation and its rise to popularity in Italy, followed by a detailed account of a performance given by Sgricci in Rome. The author concludes that improvisation is an impressive art, even if it does not lend itself to serious poetic production.
“The Bee” (The Literary Chronicle and Weekly Review)
A literary magazine reports that Pradel, on trial for publishing a politically controversial brochure of poems, insisted on delivering an improvised poem as part of his defence.
Johann Kreuser, Homerische Rhapsoden oder Rederiker der Alten
Kreuser surveys poetic improvisation throughout modern Europe, in Arabic cultures and in the ancient world, naming (in an endnote) several German improvisers who have been reviewed in recent periodicals. He considers improvised poetry and music a pleasant entertainment for the masses, a momentary pleasure that cannot measure up to Homer or to the productions of poets and orators when language and culture are in a more mature state.