The Improvisation of Poetry, 1750 – 1850
A database of commentaries on improvisational performance
A detailed review of Antonio Bandocci’s well-received performance at the imperial court in Vienna, where he improvised on six themes in different verse-forms and was rewarded by the emperor with a diamond ring. An ottavo stanza from his improvised poem on “The Death of Count Ugolino” is included.
The improvisatore Bindocci successfully improvised an ode in praise of the king at Vienna, the Italian text of which is recorded in the article.
Bindocci’s last performance in Vienna before a small but select audience receives a very favourable review, despite the fact that a severe cold caused the improvisatore to declaim his improvised poems rather than singing them, as usual, to piano accompaniment.