Il Violino: 2 voll., Tipi Fava & Garagnani, Bologna, 1873/1874

Abstract

Ercole Folegatti, born in Ferrara, was a member of the Accademia Filarmonica of Bologna, Honorary Professor of Violin at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome, and an honorary member of the Circolo Promotore Partenopeo "Giambattista Vico" in Naples. In his two volumes, Folegatti strictly adheres to the technical and instrumental rules outlined in the methods of Francesco Galeazzi (1758-1819) and Bartolomeo Campagnoli (1751-1827). This partially limits the originality of the work. However, the second volume ⎻ which covers quartets, orchestras, chamber ensembles, and conductors ⎻ is much more interesting, revealing important aspects of the Italian musical scene of the time. From this perspective, the absolute dominance of opera hindered the growth of instrumental music, negatively affecting the quality of performers and orchestras. Instrumental chamber music, therefore, seems to have almost entirely disappeared, surviving thanks to the dedication of musicians who, despite difficulties, managed to organize ensembles, venues for chamber music, societies to promote string quartets, and chamber music competitions, also inviting renowned foreign artists to perform in Italy.