Charles Burney

The Present State of Music in France and Italy (2nd, corrected edition)

London: T. Becket and Co., 1773

Naples

Lande, after allowing that "the opera in
Italy is very well as to music and
words," concludes with saying "that
it is not, in my opinion, quite so in
other respects, and for the following
reasons;

" 1. There is scarce any machinery in
the operas of Italy*.

" 2. There is not such a multitude of
rich and superb dresses as at Paris.

" 3. The number and variety of the
actors are less †.

" 4. The chorusses are fewer and less
laboured. And

" 5. The union of song and dance is
neglected ‡."

To all which objections, a real lover of
music would perhaps say, so much the
better.