A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Castrucci, Pietro

CASTRUCCI, Pietro, pupil of Corelli, and distinguished violin player, born at Rome 1689. In 1715 he came to England with Lord Burlington and became leader of Handel's opera-band. He had a special reputation as performer on the Violetta marina, an instrument of his own invention. In Handel's 'Orlando' is an air accompanied by two Violette marine with celli pizzicati, 'per gli Signori Castrucci' (see the MS.) meaning Pietro and his brother Prospero. In Handel's 'Sosarme' is also an air with Violetta marina obligato. In 1737 he was superseded at the opera by Festing—not by Clegg. To his undoubted talent Castrucci added an amount of charlatanism surprising in a pupil of Corelli's, though paralleled by other great players, Clement, Boucher, Ole Bull, &c. An instance of these is given by Burney (Hist. iv. 353 note). He died 1769 in great poverty. Castrucci is said to have been the original of Hogarth's 'Enraged musician'; but that is now known to be intended for Feating.

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