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Scan 205
the history of the violin, 1864
4 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. Printed page 183. See the scan on archive.org.
1Abel, a German, born in 1719, who came over in 1759. He was one of the greatest performers on the instrument ever known, particularly in the performance of slow movements, which seem best to suit the character of the instrument. On the formation of Queen Charlotte's band, he was made chamber-musician, with a salary of 200l. per annum. He died in 1787. Dahmen about this time was a fine performer on the same instrument, as well as on the violoncello.
3The elder Cervetto, whose Christian name it appears from the registry of his burial was Jacob, was born in Italy in 1682, came to London in 1728, and passed the remainder of his long life in England, his death not taking place until the year 1783. He brought the violoncello into favour by his great skill and taste, but his tone is said to have been hard. He is the musician who roused Garrick's wrath by yawning aloud in the middle of one of that great actor's pathetic speeches, which he had probably heard twenty times before; but adroitly excused himself, by saying he always yawned when he was pleased. Caporale was a rival of Cervetto, but does not appear to have equalled him. He was permanently attached to Handel's orchestra, as were Clegg and Dubourg; and he, with the elder Cervetto, Ravenscroft, and Festing, as before mentioned, were among the first subscribers to the Musical Fund, afterwards the Royal Society of Musicians. The younger Cervetto, who was called James, was born about 1747, and excelled his father both in style and tone, which was particularly sweet, and his expression very fine. He, like his father, lived to a great age, and died in February, 1837; he had, however, retired from the profession some time previously. John Crosdill, born in London in 1755, went to Paris from 1775 to 1780. He was the first performer on the violon-
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