A Presumed Crowning of Francesco Landini

Abstract

ALTHOUGH PETRARCH describes the festivities celebrated in Venice on the occasion of the victory over the Cretians in his Seniles, II, 2, he does not mention a competition for the laurel wreath. The only contemporary reference is in the highly exaggerated account of Landini's life given by Filippo Villani. None of the contemporary men of letters, who speak highly of the blind organist in other connections, refer to this supposed climax of his career. Three centuries after Villani's death, the story begins to grow. Lami and Bandini add conjectures to the original account which in turn are accepted as facts by Winterfeld, Francesco Gaffi, and other nineteenth century writers. Wesselofsky first and later Guerri were right in doubting so ingenious a fable. But it is not difficult to find still today authoritative scholars inclined to belief. However, for the good peace of posterity and of the town historians, Landini remains great both with the musical crown and without it.