"A Toccata of Galuppi's" is a poem by Robert Browning included in "Men and Women."
The 18th
century
composer Baldasare Galuppi (1706-1785) was the organist of the Cathedral of St Mark in Venice, Italy, during the last years of his life. Galuppi was a master in Toccata, usually played in churches.
A Toccata is a light
music piece, when played, displays the virtuosity of the musician.
Robert Browning wanted to capture the rhythm in the music of Galuppi through this poem, of which he brilliantly did.
During the 18th
century, Venice was under the Austrian rule.