*p1696 12 00 dl Cinthia and Endimion; or, The Loves of the Deities. Edition of 1697: Prologue to Cinthia and Endimion-; Epilogue to the Opera-. $Mr Dogget=, dress'd like $Collin=, rises from under the Stage as frighted. No actors' or singers' names.*c1696 12 00 dl The date of the premiere is not known, but the fact that the opera was advertized in the <i>Post Man</i>, 14-16 Jan. 1696@7, suggests that it was first acted not later than December 1696. As the title page indicates, the work had been intended for presentation before the Court, but the death of $Queen Mary= prevented its appearance at Court. <i>A Comparison Between the Two Stages</i> (1702), p. 19: <i>Sullen</i>: But to go on, <i>Cynthia and Endymion</i>. <i>Ramble</i>: What a Pox is that? I never heard on't. Sullen: I believe not; 'tis one of $Durfey='s Toys. Ramble: Durfey's? what again? 'twas just now we parted with him. Sullen: Ay but Sir, you must know this is an Opera--and as he tells us in the Title-page, design'd t be perform'd <i>at court</i> before the late $Queen=--there's for you; Durfey in his Altitudes--but notwithstanding the vain and conceited Title-page, 'tis good for nothing within: He's the very Antipodes to all the Poets, Antient and Modern: Other Poets treat the Deities civilly, but Mr Durfey makes the Gods Bullies, and Jilts of the chastest Goddesses. Ramble: So, I suppose that was mawl'd, notwithstanding the Honour which he says the Queen intended it. Sullen: 'Twas well for Durfey her late Majesty never saw it; Gad if she had, People wou'd ha' said, it had first been the cause of her Illness, and then of her Death; for 'tis a mortifying Piece o' my Word; Yes, yes,--it was Damn'd.