The Trinity journal., 1856-05-17

Rut know that my memory lngers,
Around the dear place as roam,
And while I've my wits and my creepers,
They'll miss me-theyl miss me at home!
PIcco, THE SARDINIAN MINsrREL.-ThiS |
young man, who has been astonishing the |
Partisan musical world by his performances |
on an instrument of the humblest possible |
kinda little pipe or fageolet, no better
than chd's penny whistle-has arrived in
London and had concert at the Hanover
square Rooms on Saturday evening last,
when the effects which he produced by
means of his poor little instrument were at
once so marvellous and so beautiful that a
large audience, among whom were many of
our most distinguished musicians and d1ilet-
tant,, were filled with wonder and delight.
Picco is young man, the son of Pied
montese shepherd blind from his birth, and
destitute of any musical education. Some
time in the year before last, we are told, his
extraordinary attainmentS were discovered
by acc dent A SportSmon, wandering among
the Appcnines, was struck by hearing at q
distance a singular strain Of music, and
found that 1t proceeded from a country lad,
mentioned Charmed and astonshed he
accompanied the youth to his fathers cot
tage; and the result was that the old man
was persuaded to allow his son to be taken
to Milan, with the view of making some
thing by his talent. In December, 1854,
young Picco obtained an engagement to per-
form at the theatre Of La Scala, where his
playing created such a sensation that his
fame spread over Italy, and he was engaged
at all the principal theatres from Milan to
Naples. AT Rome he was made, by for
NAL diploma, Il member of the Academy Of
Saint Cecilia, in that city. From Naples
he went to Paris. and appeared at the The
atre Italen, in December last; and the i'm
preston he made on the public was described
in glowing language by the Journal des De-
bats, the Presse, and other leading journals
of the French metropolis; and it was made
apparent by his performance at the Hanover
square Rooms last Saturday that their ac-
counts were by no means exaggerated.
On that occasion the audience were much
interested by Picco's appearance and man
ner. He was in the picturesque attire of an
Italian mountaineer with an open intelligent
His instrument was precisely what it had
been described to be-a mere child'S toy of
the rudest construction about three inches
long, and SO minute that, while he was play
ing, it was almost hidden by his fingers. 1t
has only three holes, and yet he contrives to
produce from it, by means which we confess
our inability even to imagine, a complete
chromatic scale Of three octaves, with every
semitone perfectly in tune. The tones which
he draws from it are clear, sweet, and bril-
liant; and he executes the most rapid pas
sages with a freedom and huency which
could not be exceeded by the most skitul
performer on the violin. But, beyond these
mechanical attainments, which must have
been gained by ingenuity and application,
he possesses the more precious gifts derived
Immediately from nature-taste, refinement,
and feeling. He has powerful imagination
and an inventive genius-the faculties ne
cessary to make a composer as well as per-
former. He is able TO extemporise on a
given subject with great brilancy and in a
style entirely his own At the concert on
Saturday he played two pieces, the 'Casta
Diva from Norma and the Carnival de
Fense,' with variations, partly Paganni's,
aud partly his own. His performance OF
Bellinis celebrated air was eXquisitely beau
tiful; quite vocal in its effect, and full of eX
preston. His 'Carnaval de Vense,' was
absolutely marvellous, and quite indescrib
able; it must be heard to form any idea Of
it. 1t contained the widest and most fan
tastic flights of Paganini, whose variations
lie must have learned from some of the great
viollnists whom he may have heard in the
course OF his Italian travels-none of whom.
however, could have surpassed him in bril-
lancy of execution. The only defects in his
performance are those which could not be
possibly avoided by any degree of skill
The first is the hlgh pitch OF his instrument
and It's want ol low notes; and the second
is the PIERCING shrllneSs OF the very highest
sounds OF his scale Both are necessary
consequences Of the mnutenesS of his tiny
playtnlug, which, in any other hands, couC
no: have been called an instrument Blu
they detract much less than might hav,
been expected from the power and beauty O
his playthlng.
His concert, we must add, was exceeding
ly well got up, and interesting, even indie
pendently OF his performances. The admi
rable band of the Orchestral Union, unde
their able conductor, Mr.. Alfred Mellon
played several fine pieces; and songs by
Miss Lasceles and Signor Veroni gave ad
dItonal variety to the concert. We advis,
our musical readers to hear this Italian
youth; their astonishment will not be great
er than their pleasure London Paper.