Scan 543
The violin: its famous makers and their imitators, 1909
11 lines. Read by computer on 27 September 2026. Printed page 465. See the scan on archive.org.
1Samuel Appleby, who was his legal adviser, and probably better acquainted with him than any other person in this country. He very kindly sent me the following particulars, which are interesting:—
3"BRIGHTON, July 2, 1875.
5"MY DEAR SIR,—
6"Your letter of yesterday needs no apology, as it will afford me pleasure at any time to give you any information in my power respecting the late Signor Dragonetti, having known him well from 1796 to his death.
8"His celebrated Gasparo da Salò instrument, or Contra-Basso, was left by his will to the Fabbri-cieri (or churchwardens) for the time being of the Church of St. Mark's, at Venice, to be played upon only on festivals and grand occasions. I was present on one of such festivals, which lasted three days, in July, 1852. I then saw the Basso, which was played on in Orchestra No. 1, there having been two bands for which music had been composed expressly.
10"In April, 1875, being again in Venice, I inquired from the Verger of St. Mark's if Dragonetti's Violone was in the church, and I could see it. The reply was in the affirmative, but as the Fabbricieri had the care of the instrument, under lock and key, it would be necessary to see them and get their consent for its production. As this would cause me
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