Encyclopćdia Americana: A Popular Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature ...

PERGOLESI, Giovanni Battista, one of the most distinguished musicians, whose proper name was Giambattista Jesi, was born at Pergola (hence his name, Pergolesi), in the March, according to some in 1707, according to others in 1704. In 1717, he entered the Conservatorio dei poveri di Gesù Cristo at Naples, then under the direction of Gaetano Grecco. This great master initiated his pupil in all the secrets of the art. At the age of fourteen years, Pergolesi had distinguished himself by various compositions, in which melody was sacrificed to artifices of counterpoint; but no sooner had he left the Conservatorio, and studied the vocal compositions of Vinci and Hasse, than he changed his manner entirely. In his first opera, how ever, only some ariette were well received; but prince Stigliano judged favorably of Pergolesi's talents, and procured him employment (1730-34) at the Teatro nuovo. During this time, he also composed La serva Padrona, for the theatre San-Bartolomeo. But his genius was not satisfied with ordinary subjects: he seized an opportunity to make himself known at Rome by a more important composition, and wrote, in 1735, his Olimpiade, for the theatre Tordinone. Yet this opera, though of great merit, did not please much. Pergolesi now returned to Naples, and composed his Dirit and Laudate, the success of which afforded a compensation for the former coldness of the public. His health declined, and his friends induced him to go to Torre del Greco, at the foot of mount Vesuvius, which is considered salutary for pulmonary patients. Here he composed his far-famed Stabat Mater dolorosa, his cantate Orfeo, and the Salve, Regina, his last work. He died in 1739, at Puzzuoli, when his fame had just begun to sp spread over Europe. The theatres and the churches resounded with

his productions. In Rome, his Olimpiade was represented anew, with the greatest magnificence, and its beauties were enthusiastically applauded. According to the universal opinion of the Italians, no one ever excelled him in musical expression. Some call him the Dominichino, others even the Raphael, of music; but he is censured for repetitions, an abrupt style, and transpositions which injure the text. Pergolesi inclines more to the soft than to the powerful; even his Stabat, according to the judgment of modern musicians, is somewhat weak. His manner is tinged with melancholy, originating, perhaps, from his feeble state of health.

PORTO RICO, or PUERTO RICO, an island belonging to Spain, one of the Great Antilles (of which group it is the smallest and most easterly), lies between lat. 17° 50 and 18° 32′ N., and between lon. 65° 43 and 67° 10 W., having the Atlantic on the north and the Caribbean sea on the south. It is separated from Hayti, on the west, by a channel twenty-five leagues broad. One hundred and ten miles in length, by thirty-six in breadth. Population, 130,000, of which 25,000 are slaves. Until 1815, Porto Rico was an expense to Spain; but since that time foreigners have been allowed to settle there; and it is now in a very flourishing condition. It has a fine climate, a fertile soil, and produces coffee, sugar, tobacco, cotton, fruits. The exports of the year 1830 were estimated at $2,500,000; imports at $2,000,000. The sugar crop of 1831 was estimated at 45,000 hogsheads, that of coffee at 125,000 quintals, Porto Rico, which was called by the natives (Arrowauks) Boriqua, was discovered by Columbus in 1493, and is said to have contained at that time 600,000 inhabitants, who were soon exterminated by the Spaniards.