The treatise of Geminiani of 1749, dedicated to His Highness Prince of Wales, describes the idea of good taste with these words (Geminiani Francesco Saverio 1749 Treatise on good taste in musical art which represents the second part of the Rules, London. Italian translation by Luca Ripanti, Rusty editors, Milano 1995 pag 5):
What is commonly meant by “good taste” in singing and playing has for some of the past years been considered to spoil the true melody and intentions of the composers. Many think that true good taste cannot possibly be brought about by means of any rule or artifice; they believe that good taste is a particular gift of nature, awarded only to those who have a good ear, and since most of them flatter themselves that they have such qualities, it follows that those who sing or play think of nothing other than continually introducing passages or short notes or other embellishments, thus believing that he will be considered a good performer, without understanding that playing with good taste does not mean searching for the melody with continuous passages, but express the composer's intentions with decision and delicacy. This expression represents what everyone should strive to acquire, and anyone who is not too enamored of his opinions and does not obstinately resist the force of evidence can reach it. However, do not think that I intend to deny the powerful effects of good ears, because I have had the opportunity to see on several occasions how great its possibilities are; I simply assert that certain rules of art are necessary for a moderate genius, that on the other hand, they can improve and perfect an already good one. Also so that music lovers can more easily and reliably reach perfection, I recommend the practice of the following ornamentations of expression, which are fourteen.
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