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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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