The following very curious account of the ancestry of this very talented
individual is copied from the _Berwick Advertiser_--a paper confined to
the provinces, and not likely to reach the metropolis. It appeared
somewhere about four years ago; but in cutting the scrap from the paper
I incautiously omitted inserting the date.
"NEW FACTS CONCERNING DONIZETTI THE COMPOSER.--We have learned
from authority not to be questioned, that the late Donizetti,
whose great talents as a composer are now beginning to be
appreciated, was of Scotch origin. His grandfather was a native of
Perthshire, of the name of Izett (or rather, I should think,
Izatt). He was a farmer under the Earl of Breadalbane, and his son
Donald was born at the farm. When very young the sprightly Donald
left his paternal home, having been enticed by the fascinating
address of a recruiting serjeant to enlist in the united services
of Mars and his Majesty, to the great grief of his mother, who did
not survive his departure many months. Young Donald soon got
discontented with his military duties; and having been taken
prisoner by General La Hoche during his invasion of Ireland, was
quite delighted with the easy mode which presented itself of
liberation from the unpleasant thraldom which he had been
suffering, and quickly embraced an offer made to him to enter the
General's service. With him he remained as private secretary till
his untimely death. Subsequently he married an Italian lady of
some fortune, and his name of _Donald Izett_ was easily
metamorphosed into _Donizetti_. The composer was the offspring of
this marriage; and it is remarkable that evidence of his Scottish
origin may be traced in many of his beautiful melodies. Thus, for
instance, in 'Don Pasquale,' the exquisite air of 'O Summer Night'
reminds us of some Highland strains sung to the bagpipe; and the
entire score of 'Lucia di Lammermoor' is replete with snatches and
fragments of the minstrelsy of Scotland."
There is then added a few lines relative to Rossini, whose family is
also alleged to be Scotch.
How far this legend is true I know not; but perhaps some of your
correspondents might throw light on the subject. But assuredly there
_did_ exist a Scotch family called _Izett_; and a lady of that name is
at present living in, or near, the romantic town of Stirling. What is
remarkable is this: that in the list of subscribers to the Edinburgh
Circus, afterwards better known as Corri's Rooms, and now the Adelphi
Theatre, occurs the name of _Izatt_ or _Izett_, who followed the calling
of a hatter. This was in 1790. On making inquiry, it has been
ascertained that he came from Perthshire; that his father was a farmer
there; and what is still more striking, that, having realised an ample
fortune, he retired from business and purchased an estate in that
county. It was also said, that he corresponded with some relative on the
Continent. All this is very inconclusive, but still it is worth
noticing.