The number and variety of these instruments is shown by the fact that
collections of them were now made from curiosity. In Venice, which was
one of the most musical cities of Italy, there were several such
collections, and when a sufficient number of performers happened to be
on the spot, a concert was at once improvised. In one of these museums
there was a large number of instruments, made after ancient pictures
and descriptions, but we are not told if anybody could play them, or
how they sounded. It must not be forgotten that such instruments were
often beautifully decorated, and could be arranged in a manner pleasing
to the eye. We thus meet with them in collections of other rarities and
works of art.
The players, apart from the professional performers, were either single
amateurs, or whole orchestras of them, organized into a corporate
Academy. Many artists in other branches were at home in music, and
often masters of the art. People of position were averse to wind
instruments, for the same reason which made them distasteful to
Alcibiades and Pallas Athene. In good society singing, either alone or
accompanied with the violin, was usual; but quartettes of string
instruments were also common, and the 'clavicembalo' was liked on
account of its varied effects. In singing, the solo only was permitted,
'for a single voice is heard, enjoyed, and judged far better.
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