Note 22 — PORTUGAL. (continued 3)
Reading edition
The royal chapel of the Ajuda, though somewhat fallen from the unequalled splendour it boasted during the sing-song days of the late king, Don Joseph, still displayed some of the finest specimens of vocal manufacture which Italy could furnish. It possessed, at the same time, Carlo Reina, Ferracuti, Totti, Fedelino, Ripa, Gelati, Venanzio, Biagino, and Marini—all these virtuosi, with names ending in vowels, were either contraltos of the softest note, or sopranos of the highest squeakery.