The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-05-06 00:00:00

SIGNOR 1 IS7 RUCCI.

Last night this gentleman commenced his mks of fm-
proviwiziomi for the repent season at the Argyll Rooms.
The audience was extremely numerous, and of thy most
respectable character. We observed many persons of rank
and high fashion, and a large proportion of those most dis-
tinguished about town for literature and art. This is as it
should be. It evidences a desire to panellize every tes
of merit, and to extend the friendly hand of we :bwire
to an enterprising, educated, and highly-gifted straE.
This sort of extemporaneous versification on any subject
whatever is peculiar to Italy ; indeed there is no r
European language which admits of it. Great flexibility,:
smoothness, variety, facility of combination, and aptitude
for rhyming, are absolutely necessary to the impriaisatore.
These are the characteristics of the Italian tongue, and are,
at the same time that they facilitate extemporaneous corn-1
positioc, fatally injurious to the higher class of poetry.
We have heard, both in Italy and elsewhere, a great:
many linprovisatori, and whilst we were struck with
their extraordinary command of language, we slid not
much admire the originality or force of the senti-
ment. Signor l'istrucci, in this respect, is superior to
any of his brethren. Ile is not only gifted with a
marvellous facility of versification, but his expres-
sions are singularly poetical, and his matter of a quality
that will stand the test of criticism. His manner, too, is
singularly impressive; a little too theatrical, perhape, but
very energetic, varied, and graceful. Ills voice is sonorous
anti powerfel, and his enunciation clear, distinct, and cut-
phatical. The therms were given to hint by as person
who pleased, and related to all possible subjects. The lint
was the Lassa ; and he immediately commenced a strain
of high poetry upon this reward and ornament of moral,
intellectual, and military distinction. We have no splice
to detail the manner in which he treated it, or to quote any
of the sentiments sir illustrations. It was lousily applauded.
The next was he Judgment of Brntiis ; then eucceeded
an ode on The greatness of (;nd as discoverable in Me
souls of nature—Florenee--The Death of Framinondos.
In all these he was remarkable for the ease, reatlintats,
fluency, and force, with which be poured forth, a series of
smooth and beauund stanzas. It was like areertexhans-
tible river. Between the several recitations, some (4 the
leading performers of the Italian Opera presented them-
eaves to the audience. Toni and Ikeretti sang a duet very
pleasingly. The celebrated terzetto, Sara falnia delusa,
from Rieciardo, was delightfully given by Ronal Beg,nis,'
Mademoiselle Marinoni, and Signor Toni ; and these, toge-
ther with De Begins and Heves, gang the quintetto
which terminate+, the first act of /I 7'urcie is Italia, with
great effect. The whole performance appeared to afford
much satisfaction to the audience. Signor Pistrucci (he
is the brother of the engraver to the Mint), is not only a
poet, but also a distinguished artist. Ills melt perform-
ance is fixed for the 2:id of June.