Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1845-12-31
The Music Of Northern Italy.

Ills a singular fact, that the best sing
ers of Italy come from tho northern prov
inces The people Of the south arc
more fiery and passionate, yet less dis
tinguished for music, than those Of the
north. Nothing stIikesthe traveller in
Italy with more force, or lives in his
memory longer, than the gay streetsing-
ing of the lower class; yet one hears
little ofthis in Rome ar Naples, There
is q sombre aspect in old Rome, taken
from it's silent naughty ruins, giving ap-
paren.ly, colorlng to the feelings Of the
people. The gay, light hearted NeaPo-
Titan seems too gay for music-like the
French, his spirit bursts ont in action
The Piedmontese are forever singing.
while Cenon is the only Italian city over
which memory fingers, ever fresh and
ever delighted. There is not moon>
light night in which its old palaces do
not ring with the song of the strolling
sailor boy or idle lounger. The rafting
Of wheels seldom disturbs the streets.
while the quietness of the lofty walls Of
the palace, confne and prolong the
sound like the reof Of a cavern. The
winding, narrow passages now shut in
the song till only faint echo is caught,
and now let it forth in full volume Of
sound, ever changing like the hues Of
feeling. Hours and hours have we lain
awake, listening to these thoughttess
serenaders who seemed singing because
the night was beautiful. You will often
hear voices of such singular power and
melody ringing through the clear atmos-
Phere.that you imagine some professional
musicians are out on serenade to a
"fayre Iadye" But when the group mer-
ges into the moonlight you see thee,
or four coarse clad creatures, evidently
from the very lowest class. sauntering
along arm in arm singing solely because
they prefer it to talking. And what is still
more singular, you never see three per-
sons. not even boys, thus singing to-
gether without carrying. along three
parts. The common and favorite mode
is, for two to take different parts while
the third a, the close Of every strain.
throws in deep bass chorus. You will
often hear snatches from the most beau
,iful operas chanted along the streets, by
those from whom you would expect no.
thing bnt the most obscene songs. This
spontaneous street singing, charms US
more than the soul stirring music Of a
full orchestra. 1t is the poetry OF the
lapd-one of its characteristic features
living in the memory Of years after
every thing else has faded. We like,
also, the much abused hand organs. of
every description greeting you at every
turn. They are the operas Of the Lag
zarroni and children, and help to fill up
the picture. Passing once through a
principal street Of Genoa, we heard at a
distance, a fine, yet clear and powerful
voice, that at once attracted our atten-
tion. On approaching, we found it pro>
ceeded from little blind boy not over
eight years Of age. He sat on stone
pavement, with his back against an old
palace, pouring forth song after song.
with astonishing strength and melody
As we threw him his penny. we could
not help fancyiug how he. would look sit
ting 10 Broadway, with his back against
the Astor House, attempting to throw
his clear. sweet voice over the rafting
Of omnibusses and carriages. that keep
even the earth in constant tremor.-
Asudlegs Letter. from Italy. 10