[95] The renowned Abbot Steffani, so famous for his Duetto's, would never suffer such luxuriant Singers to perform any of them, unless they kept themselves within Bounds.
[96] Nicolini, who came the first time into England about the Year 1708, had both Qualities, more than any that have come since. He acted to Perfection, and did not sing much inferior. His Variations in the Airs were excellent; but in his Cadences he had a little of the antiquated Tricks. Valentini, (who was here at the same Time) a Scholar of Pistochi, though not so powerful in Voice or Action as Nicolini, was more chaste in his Singing.
[97] The two Women, he points at, are Cuzzoni and Faustina.
[98] The Carnaval is a Festival in Italy, particularly celebrated at Venice from Christmas to Lent, when all Sorts of Diversions are permitted; and at that Time there are sometimes three different Theatres for Opera's only.
[99] Our Author has often mentioned Time; the Regard to it, the Strictness of it, and how much it is neglected and unobserv'd. In this Place speaking of stealing the Time, it regards particularly the Vocal, or the Performance on a single Instrument in the Pathetick and Tender; when the Bass goes an exactly regular Pace, the other Part retards or anticipates in a singular Manner, for the Sake of Expression, but after That returns to its Exactness, to be guided by the Bass. Experience and Taste must teach it. A mechanical Method of going on with the Bass will easily distinguish the Merit of the other Manner.
[100] A farther Animadversion against imitating Instruments with the Voice.
[101] Many Graces may be very good and proper for a Violin, that would be very improper for a Hautboy; and so with every Species of Instruments that have something peculiar. It is a very great Error (too much in Practice) for the Voice, (which should serve as a Standard to be imitated by Instruments,) to copy all the Tricks practised on the several Instruments, to its greatest Detriment.
[102] Passo and Passagio. The Difference is, that a Passo is a sudden Grace or Flight, not uniform. See Pl. VI. Numb. 5. A Passagio is a Division, a Continuation, or a Succession of Notes, ascending or descending with Uniformity. See Pl. VI. Numb. 6.
[103] This alludes to the French Manner of Singing, from whence that Defect is copy'd.
[104] The Time he alludes to, is at present between thirty and forty Years ago.