[61] Rivani, called Ciecolino, must have written some Treatise on Time, which is not come to us, therefore no further Account can be given of him.
[62] Pistochi was very famous above fifty Years ago, and refined the Manner of singing in Italy, which was then a little crude. His Merit in this is acknowledged by all his Countrymen, contradicted by none. Briefly, what is recounted of him, is, that when he first appeared to the World, and a Youth, he had a very fine treble Voice, admired and encouraged universally, but by a dissolute Life lost it, and his Fortune. Being reduced to the utmost Misery, he entered into the Service of a Composer, as a Copyist, where he made use of the Opportunity of learning the Rules of Composition, and became a good Proficient. After some Years, he recovered a little Glimpse of Voice, which by Time and Practice turned into a fine Contr'Alto. Having Experience on his Side, he took Care of it, and as Encouragement came again, he took the Opportunity of travelling all Europe over, where hearing the different Manners and Tastes, he appropriated them to himself, and formed that agreeable Mixture, which he produced in Italy, where he was imitated and admired. He at last past many Years, when in an affluent Fortune, at the Court of Anspach, where he had a Stipend, and lived an agreeable easy Life; and at last retired to a Convent in Italy. It has been remark'd, that though several of his Disciples shewed the Improvement they had from him, yet others made an ill use of it, having not a little contributed to the Introduction of the modern Taste.
[63] Sifacio, famous beyond any, for the most singular Beauty of his Voice. His Manner of Singing was remarkably plain, consisting particularly in the Messa di Voce, the putting forth his Voice, and the Expression.
There is an Italian Saying, that an hundred Perfections are required in an excellent Singer, and he that hath a fine Voice has ninety-nine of them.
It is also certain, that as much as is allotted to Volubility and Tricks, so much is the Beauty of the Voice sacrificed; for the one cannot be done without Prejudice to the other.
Sifacio got that Name from his acting the Part of Syphax the first time he appeared on the Stage. He was in England when famous, and belonged to King James the Second's Chapel. After which he returned to Italy, continuing to be very much admired, but at last was waylaid, and murthered for his Indiscretion.
[64] Buzzolini, the Name known, but no Particulars of him.
[65] Litigino, in the Service of the Emperor Joseph, and a Scholar of Pistochi.
[66] Signora Boschi was over in England in Queen Anne's Time; she sung one Season in the Opera's, returned to Venice, and left her Husband behind for several Years; he sung the Bass. She was a Mistress of Musick, but her Voice was on the Decay when she came here.
[67] Santini, afterwards Signora Lotti. She was famous above forty Years ago, and appeared at several Courts in Germany, where she was sent for; then retired to Venice, where she married Signor Lotti, Chapel-Master of St. Mark.