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354 CURIOSITIES OF MUSIC.
the ridicule which he received for his conceit soon sent him back to Italy.
The score of ki Orpheus," by Monteverde, 1608, allows us to see the construction of hia orchestra.
There were,—
2 Clavichords,
2 Lyres, or Grand Viols (13 strings), 10 Violas,
3 Bass Viols,
2 Double Bass,
1 Double Harp (2 rows of strings),
2 Small French Violins, 2 Great Guitars,
2 Organs (wood),
4 Trombones,
1 Pair of Kegals (small organ),
2 Cornets,
1 Small Flute, 1 Clarion,
3 Sourdines (muted trumpets).
These instruments gave to each chorus and character a different effect, thus the double basses accompanied Orpheus; the viols, Euridice; the trombones,Pluto; the regals, Apollo. The shepherd's choruses were accompanied by flute, cornets, sourdines and clarion, and most singular of all, Charon sang to the light tones of the guitar.*
In Italy, from this time forth, opera followed opera.
In France it was not known till much later |
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• L'Opera Italien. Cagtil-Blaze, p. 26. |
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