Reggio Pietro Francesco, also known as Il Genovese, baptised 6 (?) July 1632 Genoa, †23 July 1685 London, Italian singer (bass), lutenist, guitarist and composer. In 1652–53 he stayed at the court of Queen Christina in Stockholm, where he sang in an ensemble of Italian musicians. Probably following the queen’s abdication in 1654, he undertook concert tours of Germany and Spain; in September 1657 he sang in the choir of the King of France. In 1664, he settled in England, where he earned his living through concerts and private singing lessons, including at the homes of John Evelyn and Samuel Pepys.
Reggio played an important role in the history of 17th-century English music; alongside G.B. Draghi and N. Matteis I, he successfully promoted Italian music and the Italian style of performance, contributing to a growing interest in Italian musical culture in England and effectively spurring English composers to compete. His performing and teaching skills were highly regarded, but his compositions received less attention. Following the publication of his Songs, J. Playford, in the preface to Choice Ayres, Songs and Dialogues (London 1681), sharply criticised him for disregarding the English musical tradition and for a style unsuited to English poetry. Reggio composed the song Arise, ye subterranean winds, performed during Shadwell’s 1674 adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest at the Dorset Garden, as well as music for poems by A. Cowley. The extensive manuscript collection attributed to him (British Library Add. MS 31440) contains Italian monodies from the early 17th century and was owned by A. Notari, who served at the English court from 1610.
Literature: J.A. Westrup Purcell, Londyn 1937, revised N. Fortune, 81980, Polish translation M. Karczyńska-Bielas, Kraków 1986; G. Rose Pietro Reggio, a Wandering Musician, “Music and Letters” XLVI, 1965; P.J. Willetts Autographs of A. Notari, “Music and Letters” L, 1969; R. Charteris A Catalogue of the Printed Books on Music (…) in Archbishop Marsh’s Library, Dublin, Clifden 1982; P. Holman H. Purcell, Oxford 1994.
Compositions:
Songs, 42 songs for 1–2 voices and basso continuo, [London] 1680
1 song in: The Theater of Music J. Playforda, London 1685
preserved in manuscripts held, amongst others, in the British Library and the Bodleian Library in Oxford:
monodies
duets
motet for 3 voices
Writings:
The Art of Singing, or a Treatise wherein is Shewn How to Sing Well Any Song Whatsoever, and also How to Apply the Best Graces, with a Collection of Cadences Plain, and then Graced, Oxford 1677 (lost)
