The Estate of Silvani’s «At The Violin» Printing House: Policy and Flexibility

Abstract

Marino Silvani’s bookshop and printing plant was a major reference point in Bologna music publishing from 1677 to 1710, first under Giacomo Monti and his son, Pietro Maria, then independently. As Marino Silvani died in 1710, his three sons inherited its activity, under the “Silvani’s Heirs” and “Silvani Brothers” brands, until 1716. This essay discusses Marino’s extensive printing output and delves into the relationships among Giuseppe Antonio, Paolo Vincenzo, and Carlo Gaetano Silvani, exploring the daily routine of their business and the fallout of their personal and family events on it. Many documents, including unissued material, help us better understand the production and dissemination of music editions in early 18^th-century Bologna.