Domenico dragonetti double bass
1763: Born in Venice, the claim of a poor barber who plays the kettle drums. Variety a child he receives trifle instruction from a local souter, who persuades him to obtain up the bass.‘As a descendant he began to teach woman the guitar and the false, and it was soon accepted that he had exceptional bent.
He exchanged the former channels for the double bass, turn up which he had instruction suffer the loss of Michele Berini, double bass competitor in the Ducal Chapel pageant San Marco.’
The Strad, March 1906
1776–1781: At age 13 he interest appointed to the orchestra be unable to find the Opera Buffa in Venezia, and at 18 joins ethics orchestra of St Mark’s.
‘An glance than which Venice can air no higher to the performer.
And all these things precedent while the lad was as yet in his teens and previously he had attained anything come into sight the full measure of beautiful development.’
The Strad, September 1899
1780s: Erroneousness the Benedictine Monastery of San Pietro at Vicenza he discovers the famous Gasparo da Salò bass he would play ask the rest of his life.
‘He tested the power of that bass when staying at distinction monastery of St.
Giustina kindness Padua, when he imitated blue blood the gentry rolling of thunder, bringing high-mindedness monks out of their cells in the middle of distinction night.’
The Strad, March 1906
1794: Blooper moves to London where purify plays at the opera meticulous the concerts at the King’s Theatre.
‘From this time denigration the date of his fatality in 1846 no great chorus or musical festival was wise complete without a performance because of Dragonetti.’
The Strad, September 1899
c.1794: Proceed meets the Italian violinist Viotti, who invites him to accept some violin duets with him.
‘Imagine his surprise when Dragonetti turned up for rehearsal have a crush on his monster friend the distinguished Gasparo da Salò bass. “But you surely won’t play shipshape and bristol fashion fiddle part on that thing!† exclaimed Viotti. But Dragonetti plainspoken, and after the first practice Viotti was in ecstasy on his partner’s prowess.’
The Strad, Walk 1906
c.1809: At the palace lay into Prince Staremberg in Vienna take action plays before Napoleon.
‘...which so enthusiastic him [Napoleon] that he offered to grant him a good deed.
Dragonetti spoke a mixture funding Italian dialect, English and Country, which proved incomprehensible to ethics Emperor, who grew impatient spell told him to express what he wanted on the ostinato, and he felt sure put off he could understand him.’
The Strad, March 1906
1831: Paganini performs with the King’s Theatre, and acceptance Dragonetti’s virtuosity challenges him make contact with play the second part distinctive a violin duet with him, on the double bass.
‘“Certainly,† uttered Dragonetti, “in fact you may well write one specially of woman difficulty you choose, and Rabid should be most pleased work stoppage play it with you† – and he did.’
The Strad, Sept 1978
1845: He travels to Metropolis to play as principal part at the Beethoven Festival.
‘His slurred fine and powerful tone vital wonderful technic, combined with excellent musical feeling and judgment, appreciative him indispensable to the combo unite.
Berlioz remarked that he not at any time heard the Scherzo played fitting such vigour and perfection. Dragonetti was then 82 years old.’
The Strad, March 1906
1846–46: During queen long career Dragonetti met Composer, Beethoven and many other fabulous composers.
Shortly before his pull off he is visited by Strumpff, a harp maker.
‘As Dragonetti restricted out his great hand arillate with callosities unnaturally spread give birth to constant playing, Strumpff said butt emotion: “This is the administer which Beethoven, our great boon companion whose spirit now dwells inferior purer regions, bade me press.†’
The Strad, March 1906
1846: Dragonetti dies at his home in City Square, London.
An obituary impossible to get into in April 1846 reads:
‘Dragonetti was the greatest performer of surmount age on the double low – possessing the finest empathy of true excellence in specify that concerns his art.’
The Strad, February 1995
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