Surprise in Venice

When visiting the Basilica San Marco in Venice, we decided to pay the extra money to see the museum upstairs just so we could see the square from the balcony. Unbeknown to me before entering, the museum contains the famous bass of Domenico Dragonetti, who was the first person to become a virtuoso of the double bass (and there have been few as important since). I learned that Dragonetti was not only born in Venice, but remained there well into his thirties, despite the many prestigious offers that his reputation had earned. Allegedly, it was in gratitude for his continuing service to the church and the city of Venice that he was given the great instrument by a Venetian Convent. He eventually left the city and went on to make a huge impact on the world, befriending none other than Ludvig Van Beethoven whose eyes were opened to the potential of this instrument. Their collaboration would forever change the way composers write for the Bass. After a long and successful life, Dragonetti asked as a dying wish that his Bass be returned to San Marco and there, in the museum, it remains.