In libraries containing early music manuscripts there are many written by unknown composers. Many are mediocre amateur works but occasionally one surfaces which has potential. Unfortunately a great amount of work is required to research a person who is virtually unknown, but in doing so can reap rewards.
Monsignor Reggio mentioned by Charles Burney.
This is the case with an 18th Century Sicilian Composer, Antonino Reggio. Reggio was first mentioned by the English musician and writer, Dr Charles Burney during Burney’s tour of France and Italy. He describes a Monsignor Reggio who is a harpsichordist, violoncello player and composer for both instruments. He also describes his prowess as a person who was eminent in the skill of the science of sound.
No References in Musicological Sources.
A search of musicological sources revealed no references to a Monsignor Reggio. However, a chance reference was found to some works by an A. Reggio in the Santini Collection of manuscripts in the Diözesanbibliotek in Münster, Germany.
The Manuscripts in Münster.
These manuscripts comprise some 180 compositions, contained in 18 manuscripts. It is fortunate that these manuscripts contained names of places, dates and names of the dedicatees. Five manuscripts contain keyboard sonatas dating to between 1770 and 1774 and a manuscript of duets for Violoncello.
Although, at the time there was no positive identification to link him to Burney, the presence of the keyboard and ‘cello sonatas, composed about 1770 was considered more than a coincidence, Burney having met Reggio in 1770.
Further Discoveries in Firenze.
The link strengthened when a manuscript was discovered in the Biblioteca Nazionale di Firenze. This manuscript, originally owned by a 19th century bibliophile in Rome, was an exact copy of one of the manuscripts in the Santini Collection. The title page states that it was composed by a Monsignor Reggio. It was possible now to link the Münster manuscripts and to Burney’s Monsignor.
From the annotations on the manuscripts, which incidentally were marked originale, it was established that Reggio was connected to the Sicilian nobility.
Printed Source in Palermo.
Another breakthrough came when a copy of a printed libretto was discovered in the Biblioteca Centrale della Regione Siciliana in Palermo. This mentioned that Antonino Reggio was of the noble Reggio, Principe di Campofiorito in Sicily. Searches into family uncovered a baptismal record for an Antonino Reggio of the Nobel Family Reggio. This enabled the establishment of his date and place of birth.
Further Revelations in Lisbon.
The most surprising information which next came to hand was the discovery of a manuscript, once belonging to the King of Portugal, in the Biblioteca do Palacio Nacional da Ajuda, Lisbon. This was yet another copy of the manuscript found in Firenze this time it was addressed to the King of Portugal and dated 1770. The manuscript was accompanied by a handwritten dedication by Reggio where he gives clues to his association with Portugal during the 1750’s, a crucial stage in the history of the Jesuits relationships with the Vatican.
Connection with Domenico Scarlatti.
During the cataloguing of the Santini collection it had been noticed that the handwriting in a volume of the keyboard sonatas of Domenico Scarlatti, which had previously been unrecognised and a source of interest, was that of Antonino Reggio. This reopened the debate on the scribes of the Scarlatti Manuscripts.
In studying the manuscripts more closely some gems are beginning to appear in many of his compositions which have interested musicologists. This research, started some ten years ago and ongoing, is slowly bringing to light an important, forgotten, 18th Century Sicilian composer.
References.
- Anthony Hart, Monsignor Antonino Reggio, cembalista e compositore del Settecento in Fonti Musicali Italiane 15/2010, (Rome 2011).
- Anthony Hart, New Findings on the Possible Copyists and Owners of the Scarlatti Sonatas in Münster: The Role of Antonino Reggio,in Early Music, Vol XXXIX – Issue 1, February 2011, (Oxford, 2011)
- Charles Burney, The Present State of Music in France and Italy: or, The Journal of a Tour through those Countries, undertaken to collect Materials for A General History of Music’. 2nd Edition (London: 1773)
Anthony Hart - I am a retired Management Consultant, Management Trainer and University lecturer. Born in the UK, I now live in Malta. As a member of ...
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