>Am I correct in the assumption that a ghazal is intended to be sung, perhaps to the accompaniment of
sitar and drum?
Yes that is correct! But it is both poetry to be written and read and also sung.

>The language of Petrarca is so far from today - the constructions, not the words - that it was more easy for me to read that sonetto in English rather than in Italian!
Emanuela, that is very interesting! The translation was so good, selfishly I am a glad that the translation is better - so I enjoyed what was good.