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are, indeed, fine toned instruments, but so powerful, as to render all the rest of the performance useless.
Though it was not a great festival, yet the band was more numerous than ordina- ry. I wanted much to hear the celebrated hautbois Matteo Bissioli, and the famous old Antonio Vandini, on the violoncello, who, the Italians say, plays and expresses a parlare, that is, in such a manner as to make his instrument speak; but neither of these performers had solo parts. How- ever, I give them credit for great abilities, as they are highly extolled by their coun- trymen, who must, by the frequent hear- ing of excellent performers of all kinds, insensibly become good judges of musical merit. People accustomed to bad music, may be pleased with it; but those, on the contrary, who have been long used to good music, and performers, cannot. It is remark- able that Antonio, and all the other violon- cello players here, hold the bow in the old- fashioned way, with the hand under it.
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