The Improvisation of Poetry, 1750 – 1850
A database of commentaries on improvisational performance
An anonymous reviewer of the Spanish poet Nicolas Moratin’s Posthumous Works describes with admiration Moratin’s talent for improvisation, recounting the latter’s composition of a comedy on the subject of the defence of Melilla in 1775 in under six hours, by dictation. The author also describes a contest of improvisation between Moratin and the Italian improvisatore Talassi.
The author writes of Moratin’s inventive improvisation of poetry, and notes that his lines flow smoothly. An example of Moratin’s talent is highlighted in a contest between Mortain and Talassi—Moratin impressed the audience, despite the challenge of facing someone who improvised in Italian.
Goldoni writes that Talassi is the best Italian improviser of poetry that has come to Paris.
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.