Such matters were not done in that way in the good old times in the smaller cities of Italy.

The matter had been much debated among the leading patrons of the musical drama in the little town.

The chances of success had been canvassed.

The financial question had been considered.

Certain sacrifices had been determined on.
And it had been settled what terms the impresario should be empowered to offer.
It had been fully felt and recognised that the hope of engaging the famous Bianca Lalli to sing at remote little Ravenna, during a carnival, was a singularly ambitious one.