Menegoni Virginal or Ottavino





Menegoni Virginal  or Ottavino

Information given by Hans Adler 1977:  
Das Instrument hat unregelmässig viereckige Form und steht in einem braun eingelegten Kasten neueren Datums.  Die Saiten werden von Federkielen (einem Plektrum aus Leder- oder Rabenfederkiel) angerissen.  Dieses Plektrum ist an einer beweglichen Zunge im Oberteil eines Holzstäbchens des sogen. "Springers" derart gesetzt, dass es beim Anschlagen der Taste die Saite von unten her anzupft;  beim Zurückfallen dagegen, dank der beweglichen Zunge, seitlich an der Saite vorbeistreicht.

Venice 1689, has a beautifully inlaid case, also works with plectra, like the harpsichord.  It is a smaller instrument and was therefore probably used mainly for vocal accompaniments.   There are only about four listed in the world.  One is in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, one in the Historical Museum in Basel, the other two privately owned. (RDM, 6.3.65)
Only three are in existence, one in Smithsonian Institue and other inVictoria and Albert Museum (Pretoria News, 10.3.69)
 Royal crest on the case indicates that it once belonged to the Austrian Emperor (Panorama, July 58)


Information from Boalch:  4 instruments listed: 
a)      ottavino, 1715, Yannick Guillou, Paris
b)     polygonal virginal, 1692, Museo  Civico, Milan
c)      harpsichord, 1696, historisches museum, Basel
d)     harpsichord, 1690, Smithsonian Institution , spurious


  • Bought at public auction in competition with unknown buyer.  Later it was discovered to be the Austrian government.  Auction took place in Belgium. (Lantern, March 1966)

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