|
Dragonetti (1763 - 1846) - became a member of the Philharmonic Society in London in 1816 and continued to play at the Society's concerts along with his life-long friend & cellist Lindley for almost 30 years. Although he never played a concerto with this Society, he took part in many performances of chamber music by composers such as Spohr, Onslow, Beethoven, Hummel and Cramer.
-
Even in his first season with the Society (1816) Dragonetti, took part in some historic first English performances - the Beethoven Septet and Symphony no.5. Dragonetti was also present @ the first performances of Beethoven's Symphony no.7 (1817), Piano Concertos 1 (1822) and 3 (1824), but missed the first performance of Symphony No.9 (The Choral) in 1825 which was commissioned by the Society. This is strange as it was often thought that the recitative passages at the beginning of the finale were written with Dragonetti in mind!
-
Dragonetti picture
-
An 80 year old Dragonetti pictured with Lindley c.1843
-
During Dragonetti's lifetime the instrument remained a three-string bass as was the custom.
-
Mendelssohn was a frequent visitor and conducted first performances of the 1st & 4th Symphonies, and the "Hebrides" overture for the Society (1833).
-
The Philharmonic Society concerts were in addition to Dragonetti's many other commitments of which the most permanent was the King's Theatre Orchestra.
His assistant at the Opera for many years was James Howell, although it is said his closest companion was his dog Carlo, who would sleep under his stool during performances!
-
On one occasion, Dragonetti came to the rescue of the Anglo French composer Georges Onslow; when one of the 'cellists went sick at a performance of one of Onslow's string quintets, the Italian contrabassist took over the part. Onslow was so pleased with the result that, from that time on, he made the 2nd 'cello part in all his quintets optional for double bass.
-
Dragonetti's will is fascinating to read, as he had collected a large number of instruments during his life - not just basses. At the head of the bequests was his Gasparo da Salo double bass which was to be returned to the Chapel of St. Marco in Venice where he played early in his career. Dragonetti would often bring back fine Italian basses from his travels abroad, and some of these are also mentioned in his will.
(see The Times announcement 1846)
|
![[Gasparo da Salo]](Basses/Gasparo.jpeg)
