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TOC
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the orchestra. Indeed Piccini is accused
of employing instruments to such excess,
that in Italy no copist will transcribe
one of his operas without being paid a
sequin more than for one by any other
composer. But in burlettas he has gene-
rally bad voices to write for, and is ob-
liged to produce all his effects with in-
struments; and, indeed, this kind of
drama usually abounds with brawls and
squabbles, which it is necessary to enforce
with the orchestra.
The overture to the burletta of to-
night, consisting of one movement only,
was quite comic, and contained a per-
petual succession of pleasant passages.
There was no dancing, which made it ne-
cessary to spin the acts out to rather a
tiresome length. The airs were much
applauded, though it was the fourteenth
representation of the opera. The author
was engaged to compose for Turin, at the
next carnival, for which place he set out
while I was at Naples. The performance
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