Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-01-23
From the Baltimore American.
MIR. TESTERS AMERICAN CONSUL AT GE
NoA,)-DESCRIPTlON OF CATALDI THE
GREAT lMPROVISATORE


After speaking of a number of distinguished l.
Italians, MIR. LESTER thus brings to our notice one
OF the most remarkable lmprovisatores of whom
we have any record:
81 will, however, say word Of CATALDr, one
OF tie best Of the Italian Improvisation. lie has
passed several weeks a; our house, and is with
us sun. He is certainly the most astonishing
gcnins ever saw. One evening at a soiree at
our house, while the squadron was here, he took
theme given 10 him by Lieutenant Leigh. of The
ship Fairfield. (son of Benjamin Watkins Leigh,
OF Virginia, noble son OF noble sire, and one
OF the mos' cultivated men know and lie sang
Tor all hour verses Of exquisite beauty and sent-
men,. His theme was Columbus and Washing
Ton. The Italians present were even themselves
overwhelmed with establishment. The Marquis
di Negro said, few men living could write such
poetry during whole lifetime. He painted the
trials, the heroism, and the iriumphs of Column
bus The ingralude Of his country and the world !;
and The youth, the patriotism, and the iriumphs
OF Washington; and then united the two forever
IN the eternity Of their fame. He then turned 10
the officers OF the Columbia, and greeted them to
Tue land OF Coiumbus.--Therew We're i large num-
her oil Italian and American ladies present, and
he made several verses upon each. Every word
was appropriate and suited to the lady he address
ed, her character, age, dress, charms and nation
And the poem, every word Of it, was of a ma
lure which utterly precludrd the idea of its hav-
ing been possible 10 compose it or any portion of
IL beforehand. 1t was mysterious and wonder
lful creation which came aud went like Il beauli-
iul vision. ii you had seen (oinHi sing on f..
an hour, yes, whole hour, rapidly. clearly keep
Ing perfect time with the pianist, (who charmed
Malibran, measure and rhyme perfect, adapting
every word admirably 10 The theme and the cir.
cnmstances, and with a sublimily and beauty all
most nconceivable, think you would have re-
garded /, as the most astonishing performance
you ever witnessed. Ii surpassed ali had ever
supposed could be done under any circumstances
by human being. And yet this same Catadi
is as poor as Neapolitan fisherman. No, a sous
10 his pocket, and dependent upon charity for his
daily bread. lie has sung for Kings and Prn-
ces, but has had substantial evidence that thew
are poor pay .,nasiers. On one occasion he was
driven from the halls Of an Italian Prince for civ
ing uiieranee, while singing, TO lervid ode 10
L'5erfy.-ile had come from distance on foot,
10 grace the banquet OF proud Lord, and because
he sung an Ode 10 Liberty was driven away hun
cry and naked.
He is an aduiirer, friend of Liberty, and he
sings Of Freedom, which is the poets own theme.
and here it is crime to be one or do the other
But blessed be God, there is one spot here, YES
even here. where he can sing and none 10 disturb
him. But what a thought! One spot in old Ge-
noa where froubadour Poet is free to sing OF Lii
brriy, when once there not foot Of ground
along The whole Lgurian Sea where the tyrant
could step his polluted fee: o! Iala--pianoo
per te. Good bye"
C. EDWARDS LESTER