Details
Image(s)
TitlePortable Street Barrel Organ
CreatorGavioli et Cie
PlaceParis (France)
Year na 1865 - tot 1870
Object number1061
Object categorymechanical instruments with organ pipes
Object nameportable barrel organ, organ with cylinder
DescriptionThe organ has 35 keys and special pipes for a flutino register ("flûtino" is written on the front of the organ to indicate this). The instrument's serial number is 3618.
Accompanying textsThe instrument has two cylinders, each equipped with a tunesheet containing the repertoire. The organ plays melodies from Offenbach's 1867 opera "Le Grande Duchesse de Gérolstein," a waltz, gallop and mazurka by A. Gavioli, and other dance numbers. This variety of music is consistent with the testimony of a 19th-century Italian street organist, recorded in Henry Mayhew's "London Labor and the London Poor," who stated that "it is not enough just to have opera music in my organ. You must have opera music for the gentlemen, and some for the poor people, and they love the dancing tunes."
The Gavioli firm was one of the most prominent organ builders of their time. The business address of Gavioli et Cie on the Rue de Citeaux, indicated on the front of this organ, was in use from about 1865; this organ was built during the time of Ludovico Gavioli (1807-1875). Gavioli was originally from Cavezzo in Italy, where he worked as a wheelwright. Once established in Paris, he was recognised and admired on several different fronts. He was acknowledged not only as an important organ builder, but also as an inventor (he held several patents, from self-playing stringed instruments to upgraded oil lamps). Thus he was acclaimed in many musical and artistic circles.
The Gavioli firm was one of the most prominent organ builders of their time. The business address of Gavioli et Cie on the Rue de Citeaux, indicated on the front of this organ, was in use from about 1865; this organ was built during the time of Ludovico Gavioli (1807-1875). Gavioli was originally from Cavezzo in Italy, where he worked as a wheelwright. Once established in Paris, he was recognised and admired on several different fronts. He was acknowledged not only as an important organ builder, but also as an inventor (he held several patents, from self-playing stringed instruments to upgraded oil lamps). Thus he was acclaimed in many musical and artistic circles.
Dimensions
width: 67 cm
depth: 43 cm
height: 63 cm
depth: 43 cm
height: 63 cm