*p1775 02 01 dl Isabella. ^As17741125^, but Sampson-Wrighten; the Vocal Parts-Mrs _Scott from <i>Epithalamium</i>.*a1775 02 01 dl The Rival Candidates. Parts by Vernon, Dodd, Bannister, Weston, Parsons, Fawcett, Kear, Mrs Wrighten, Mrs Baddeley. Byron-Vernon; Sir Harry Muff-Dodd; Worry-Parsons; First Gardener-Bannister; Gardeners-Kear, Fawcett; Spy-Weston; Jenny-Mrs Wrighten; Narcissa-Mrs Baddeley (Edition of 1775).*c1775 02 01 dl This Comis Opera is Written by the $Revd Mr Bate=. It is very Pleasant & the Music pretty. It is admirably Perform'd & was receiv'd with very great Applause (<i>Hopkins Diary</i>). The Music of the Afterpiece by $Mr Carter=. New Scenes, Dresses, Decoartions for afterpiece. Paid for Licences of <i>Matilda</i> & <i>Rival Candidates</i> #4 4s.; $Mr Baddeley= on note #10 10s.; $Miss Berkley= #2 2s. on note (Treasurer's Book). [A long rewiew of the plot of the afterpiece appeared in the Feb. <i>Westminster Magazine</i>, concluding: "In point of dialogue, poetry or music, it is inferior to few, if any, of the modern attempts of a similar kind; amongst which number, however, we desire to be understood not to include the ribald, unmeaning, sing-song compilations of the monotonous $Mr Dibdin=. The Fable, indeed, is too light and trival to endure the severity of a critical analysis; but it is at least sufficiently important to serve as a vehicle for the music; and the catastrophe has peculiar vivacity and theatrical spirit. Upon the whole the author has fully answered the end he proposed of introducing a deserving young composer whose name, it seems is Carter, to the public and who more than promises to be a composer of taste and genius. In this his first performance he both received and deserved the greatest encouragement and applause. $Mr Weston= spoke a humorous <i>Epilogue</i> accompanied by a large dog named $Dragon=, which had a very good effect, but as it was poor Dragon's first time of appearing on the stage, he, like all young performers of true feeling, seemed a good deal frightened...but having conquored his fears, and recovered himself a little, he performed his part very chastely and to the entire satisfaction of all present." <i>Epilogue</i> ends with a satirical remark upon $Sg Rossignol=, the "bird imitator" at <i>Covent Garden</i>. See 6 Jan. <i>cg</i>.] Receipts: #204 17s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book).