Burney: France & Italy

Charles Burney

The Present State of Music in France and Italy (2nd, corrected edition)

London: T. Becket and Co., 1773

Milan

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TOC

males are, at least, equal to our neigh-
bours, but in the portamento or direction
of the voice, in expression and in dis-
cretion *.

The same day, Friday, July 20, there
was music at three different churches; I
wished to be at them all during the per-
formances, but it was impossible to be
present at more than two of them; the
first of which was in the morning, at the
church of Santa Maria Secreta; it was a
Messa in musica, by Signor Monza, and
under his direction: his brother played
the principal violoncello, with much fa-
cility of execution, but neither in tone

* It is humbly hoped that my fair country-
women will not take offence at the use of the word
discretion, as its acceptation here is wholly confined
to music, in which the love for what is commonly
called gracing, is carried to such a pitch of indiscre-
tion, as frequently to change passages from good to
bad, and from bad to worse. A little paint may
embellish an ordinary face, though a great deal
would render it hideous; but true beauty is surely
best in its natural state.

nor