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of able masters, from Adriano, Zarlino's
predecessor, to Galuppi, its present wor-
thy composer. Venice has likewise been
one of the first cities in Europe that has
cultivated the musical drama or opera:
and, in the graver stile, it has been ho-
noured with a Lotti and a Marcello.
Add to these advantages the conservatorios
established here, and the songs of the
Gondoleri, or Watermen, which are so
celebrated, that every musical collector
of taste in Europe is well furnished with
them, and it will appear that my expec-
tations were not ill grounded.
The first music which I heard here was
in the street, immediately on my arrival,
performed by an itinerant band of two
fiddles, a violoncello, and a voice, who,
though as unnoticed here as small-coal-
men or oyster-women in England, per-
formed so well, that in any other coun-
try of Europe they would not only have
excited attention, but have acquired ap-
plause, which they justly merited. These
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