JOMMELLI, Nicolo

Jommelli, in his day regarded as among the foremost musicians, is at the present period scarcely known out of musical history. His operas are obsolete in form, and the disuse of classical incidents as subject-matter has long since consigned the whole species to oblivion. He was a melodist of first-rate ability, and as a harmonist much beyond the comprehension of his countrymen. He was taken to task by Metastasio, his friend, for following the Germans in respect to dramatic...