Observations on the Florid Song; Or, Sentiments on the Ancient and Modern Singers

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[The spelling of the original has been retained.]

OBSERVATIONS

ON THE

Florid Song;

OR,

SENTIMENTS

ON THE

_Ancient_ and _Modern_ SINGERS,

Written in _Italian_

By PIER. FRANCESCO TOSI,

Of the _Phil-Harmonic_ Academy

at _Bologna_.

Translated into _English_

By Mr. _GALLIARD_.

Useful for all PERFORMERS, _Instrumental_
as well as _Vocal_.

To which are added

EXPLANATORY ANNOTATIONS,

and Examples in MUSICK.

_Ornari Res ipsa negat, contenta doceri._

_LONDON_:

Printed for J. WILCOX, at _Virgil's_ Head, in
the _Strand_. 1743.

_Note_, By the _Ancient_, our Author
means those who liv'd about thirty
or forty Years ago; and by the
_Modern_ the late and present Singers.

N.B. _The Original was printed at_
Bologna, _in the Year_ 1723.

_Reprinted from the Second Edition by_
WILLIAM REEVES Bookseller Ltd.,
1a Norbury Crescent, London, S.W. 16

1967

Made in England




[Illustration]

TO ALL

Lovers of MUSICK.


LADIES and GENTLEMEN,

Persons of Eminence, Rank, Quality, and a distinguishing Taste in any
particular Art or Science, are always in View of Authors who want a
Patron for that Art or Science, which they endeavour to recommend and
promote. No wonder therefore, I should have fix'd my Mind on You, to
patronize the following Treatise.

If there are Charms in Musick in general, all the reasonable World
agrees, that the _Vocal_ has the Pre-eminence, both from _Nature_ and
_Art_ above the Instrumental: From _Nature_ because without doubt it was
the first; from _Art_, because thereby the Voice may be brought to
express Sounds with greater Nicety and Exactness than Instruments.

The Charms of the human Voice, even in Speaking, are very powerful. It
is well known, that in _Oratory_ a just _Modulation_ of it is of the
highest Consequence. The Care Antiquity took to bring it to Perfection,
is a sufficient Demonstration of the Opinion they had of its Power; and
every body, who has a discerning Faculty, may have experienced that
sometimes a Discourse, by the Power of the _Orator's_ Voice, has made an
Impression, which was lost in the Reading.

But, above all, the soft and pleasing Voice of the _fair Sex_ has
irresistible Charms and adds considerably to their Beauty.

If the Voice then has such singular Prerogatives, one must naturally
wish its Perfection in musical Performances, and be inclined to forward
any thing that may be conducive to that end. This is the reason why I
have been more easily prevail'd upon to engage in this Work, in order to
make a famous _Italian Master_, who treats so well on this Subject,
familiar to _England_; and why I presume to offer it to your Protection.

The Part, I bear in it, is not enough to claim any Merit; but my
endeavouring to offer to your Perusal what may be entertaining, and of
Service, intitles me humbly to recommend myself to your Favour: Who am,

  LADIES _and_ GENTLEMEN,
    _Your most devoted,
      And most obedient
        Humble Servant_,

          J. E. GALLIARD.




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A

Prefatory Discourse

GIVING

_Some Account of the_ AUTHOR.


_Pier._ _Francesco Tosi_, the Author of the following Treatise, was an
_Italian_, and a Singer of great Esteem and Reputation. He spent the
most part of his Life in travelling, and by that Means heard the most
eminent Singers in _Europe_, from whence, by the Help of his nice
Taste, he made the following Observations. Among his many Excursions,
his Curiosity was raised to visit _England_, where he resided for some
time in the Reigns of King _James_ the Second, King _William_, King
_George_ the First, and the Beginning of his present Majesty's: He dy'd
soon after, having lived to above Fourscore. He had a great deal of Wit
and Vivacity, which he retained to his latter Days. His manner of
Singing was full of Expression and Passion; chiefly in the Stile of
Chamber-Musick. The best Performers in his Time thought themselves happy
when they could have an Opportunity to hear him. After he had lost his
Voice, he apply'd himself more particularly to Composition; of which he
has given Proof in his _Cantata's_, which are of an exquisite Taste,
especially in the _Recitatives_, where he excels in the _Pathetick_ and
_Expression_ beyond any other. He was a zealous Well-wisher to all who
distinguished themselves in Musick; but rigorous to those who abused and
degraded the Profession. He was very much esteemed by Persons of Rank
among whom the late Earl of _Peterborough_ was one, having often met him
in his Travels beyond Sea; and he was well received by his Lordship
when in _England_, to Whom he dedicated this Treatise. This alone would
be a sufficient Indication of his Merit, his being taken Notice of by a
Person of that Quality, and distinguishing Taste. The Emperor _Joseph_
gave him an honourable Employment _Arch-Duchess_ a Church-Retirement in
some part of _Italy_, and the late _Flanders_, where he died.