Event Comment: By Command of Their Majesties. "There were not an hundred persons in the Pit when their Majesties entered, and there were not double the number at any part of the evening. The Royal box being in the centre, fronting the stage, their Majesties were invisible to the Gallery; and on their entrance solemn stillness prevailed, until the Orchestra, for the first time in an Opera-house, for the first time by the Professional Band, Struck up God save the King. Never, we will venture to say, in any Theatre during the present reign, was there so thin an audience when their Majesties were present; and we pretend not to divine the cause. Whether it is the failure of the Theatre as a musical room--the general poverty of the performance--the little notice that was given of their Majesties' intention to be present we know not" (Morning Chronicle, 23 Feb.)

Event Comment: The Choral Band will be considerably augmented this Night by Numbers from the Handelian and Cecilian Societies, for the Accomodation of which the Orchestra will be greatly enlarged

Event Comment: Account-Book: Tickets delivered by Brandon, Longley, Furkins, Pilbro, Anselmo, Copland, Rye, Pugh, Robson, Jealous, Noble, Varley, Wilkinson, Little, Lamp, Plank, Linton, Standen, the Band will be admitted. Receipts: #366 12s. (43.13.6; 7.4.6; tickets: 315.14)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: In 5 Acts, altered from the Dramatic Romance by David Garrick, Esq. With a new Overture and new additional Musick by Storace [on 2 Jan. 1792 and thereafter, added: Shaw] and other Eminent Masters. Entirely new Scenery by Greenwood, and new Dresses, Decorations and Machinery. To conclude with a Grand Procession of the Hundred Knights of Chivalry, and the Representation of an Ancient Tournament. [These were included in all subsequent performances.] Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Morning Post, 3 Jan. 1792, prints a full description of the Procession of over 100 persons: 1st, Anglo-Saxon Knights and banners; then ancient British knights, Norman knights, Indians, Turks, Scythians, Romans, a dwarf, a giant; at end, "soldiers drawing a superb picture of St. George, knights in chain mail, a cupid leading a knight covered with a silver net, Hymen, piping fauns, bands of cupids drawing an altar--flame burning, cupids hovering over it, and others feeding doves below, a troop of Arcadian shepherds drawing the car of Cymon and Sylvia, characters of the drama, and chorus." "At the conclusion of the procession, a tournament took place of both horse and foot, between several combatants in armour, who fought with lances, swords and battle-axes: three of Hughes' horses [from the Royal Circus] were introduced, and managed with much dexterity; the Prince of Wales' Highlander made one of the procession, and entered the lists as a champion, fighting with an enormous club; against him a small female warrior was opposed, by whom he was subdued. It was by far the grandest spectacle ever seen upon the stage. Many of the characters were taken from Sir Philip Sydney's Arcadia, in which the scene of the piece was laid; and the dresses of the knights, armour, &c. from the drawings and descriptions of the best antiquarians" (Oulton, 1796, II, 215). [This was Edmund Kean's 1st appearance on the stage; he was about four years old. He personated a cupid lying in Cymon and Sylvia's car (Kelly, Reminiscences, II, 21-22).] Account-Book, 13 Jan. 1792: Paid Hughes for his Horses #16 19s. 10d.; 23 Jan.: Paid Gough for his Greyhounds in Cymon #5 19s. 6d. Receipts: #420 6s. (385.0; 35.5; 0.1)

Event Comment: Powell: This Evening the Band beginning the Overture to the Farce without any notice by Bell or otherwise, caus'd a considerabledelay, it being over before the stage could be got in readiness for beginning the Farce. God save the King was call'd for, and sung. The Jew rehearsed at 10. Receipts: #396 5s. 6d. (338/9/6; 53/19/0; 2/7/0; tickets not come in: 1/10/0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Wild, prompter. 1st piece: Not acted these 20 years; altered from Dryden (by Joseph George Holman (Not. Dram.)]. 2nd piece [Ist time; M.INT 1, probably by John Cartwright Cross. MS: Larpent 1028; not published]. 3rd piece: In which an Engagement between an English and a French Man of War, a Shipwreck, and a Grand Military Procession as it pass'd, when the French Colours taken by the British Army were conveyed from St. James's to St. Paul's Cathedral [on 17 May 1794]. The above Procession is represented by Moving Figures, in which the Horse and Foot Guards, the Band of Music, the French Colours, &c. are seen to pass in the exact order they appeared on that memorable occasion. Morning Herald, 17 May: Tickets to be had of Wild, No. 46, Drury-lane. Receipts: #293 2s. 6d. (112/17/6; 14/2/0; tickets: 166/3/0)

Event Comment: "Spectas, et tu Spectabere is the inscription over the curtain in the Little Haymarket Theatre. I was there on 29th [sic] July 1794: they gave a National opera, N. B. a piece in Scottish costumes. The men were dressed in flesh-coloured breeches, with white and red ribbons twisted round their stockings, a short, brightly-coloured, striped masons' apron, brown coat and waistcoat, over the coat a large, broad ensign's sash in the same style as the apron, and black cap shaped like a shoe and trimmed with ribbons. The women all in white muslin, brightly coloured ribbons in their hair, very broad bands in the same style round their bodies, also for their hats. They perform the same abominable trash as at Sadlers Wells. A fellow yelled an aria so horribly and with such exaggerated grimaces that I began to sweat all over. N. B. He had to repeat the aria. 0 che bestie!" (Haydn, pp. 294-95)

Event Comment: A Sacred Oratorio; the music entirely by Guglielmi, composed purposely for Mme Banti at the Royal Theatre of St.@Charles at Naples [in l788]; with Grand Chorusses under the direction of Dr Arnold, who will himself preside at the organ. At the harpsichord, Federici. Leader of the Band, Cramer. The Orchestra, vocal and instrumental, will consist of nearly two hundred performers

Event Comment: Under the license of the Lord Chamberlain. Leader of the band-Mountain. Grand Piano Forte-Reeve. Among the other Instrumental Performers are W. Ware, Haigh, Leffler Sen., Leffler Jun., Nicks, Alexander, Price, Francis, Cornish, English, Eley, Forster, &c. The Doors to be opened at 6:30. To begin at 7:30. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. [For names of speakers and singers see Morning Post, 5 Mar.; Oracle, 12 Mar.

Event Comment: Last Night of the Company's performing this Season. Account-Book: Tickets delivered by Mrs Shotter, Wyatt, Waller, Gawdrey, Ratchford, the Band, Coombes, Page, Wilkins, Robson (door-keeper), Warwhick, Dosel, Paskin, Wells, Ansell, King will be admitted. Receipts: #467 13s. 6d. (67.10.0; 3.14.0; tickets: 396.9.6)

Event Comment: Ode: Written in Honour of St. Cecilia, by Dryden, and set to Music by Handel. Among the Instrumental Performers are G. Ashley, leader of the band, Mara, Sarjant, C. Ashley, Boyce, Bridgetower, Harvey, Parkinson, Taylor, Nix, two Flacks, Dresler, Gwilliam, Shutze, Price, I. Sharp, W. Sharp, M. Sharp, J. Sharp, Archer, Cobham, two Munros, Wood, Cornish, Purney, Leffler, Woodham, Cantelo, Skillern, Franki, Simpson, Jenkinson, &c. Organ-J. Ashley. Double Drums (used at Westminster Abbey)-R. Ashley. The Chorusses will be numerous and complete. The Whole under the Direction of Ashley. Boxes 6s. Pit 3s. 6d. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Places for the Boxes to be had of Brandon at the Office in Hart-street. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00 [same throughout oratorio season]. Books of the Performance (with the Imprimatur of H. Macleish) to be had at the Theatre

Event Comment: Benefit for Mme Rose. The Opera [will be performed] instead of Antigona, already announced in the papers of yesterday, it having been found impossible to get ready the machinery of the new Ballet after the performance of the Serious Opera. Mme Rose having been presented with an Engraving Ticket for her night, she proposes to give one with each Ticket, separately from the Ticket which will be admitted at the door. The Nobility and Gentry are respectfully entreated not be on that part of the stage where the mountain stands, as the machinery of the Ballet will be attended with danger. Tickets to be had of Mme Rose, No. 9, Hay-market. "The most bewitching dance we ever witnessed, for novelty of idea, charm of fancy, and delicacy of passion was performed last night. Not content with the common praise, the audience called forward the author, Didelot, and paid to him the tribute due to original and inventive talents. The ballet was entitled L'Amour Vange. The invention, which was perfectly new, was that of bands of Cupidsv floating in air-suspended seemingly on their own wings, without the intervention of any grosser medium" (Morning Chronicle, 3 June)

Event Comment: Among the Principal Instrumental Performers are G. Ashley, Leader of the Band; C. Ashley, Principal Violoncello; Wm. Parke, Sarjant, J. Mahon, Boyce, Bridgtower, Parkinson, Lavenu, Taylor, W. Ware, Flack, Dressler, Gwilliam, Nicks, [the] Munros, I. Sharp, W. Sharp, M. Sharp, J. Sharp, Archer, Cobham, Jackson, Wood, Coyle, Cornish, Purney, Leffler, Woodham, Piele, [the] Cantelos, Skillern, Beale, Lloyd, Franki, Simpson, Jenkinson, &c.; J. Ashley, Organ; R. Ashley, Double Drums (used at Westminster Abbey). The Chorusses will be numerous and complete. The whole under the Direction of Ashley. Boxes 6s. Pit 3s. 6d. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Brandon at the Office in Hart-street. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00 [same throughout oratorio season]. Books of the Performance (with the imprimatur of E. Macleish) to be had at the Theatre. [Sga Galli did not sing in The Messiah when it was originally performed in Dublin in 1742, or in London in 1743, in which year the cg oratories under Handel were established.] "I had the curiosity to go, and heard [Sga Galli] sing, 'He was despised and rejected of men' in the Messiah. Of course her voice was cracked and trembling, but it was easy to see her school was good; and it was pleasing to observe the kindness with which she was received, and listened to; and to mark the animation and delight with which she seemed to hear again the music in which she had formerly been a distinguished performer. The poor old woman had been in the habit of coming to me annually for a trifling present; and she told me on that occasion that nothing but the severest distress should have compelled her so to expose herself, which after all did not answer its end, as she was not paid according to her agreement" (Mount-Edgcumbe, pp. 19-20). [At the rehearsal, 1 Mar., I know that my Redeemer liveth sung by Mme Mara; Comfort ye my people by Braham; But@thou didst not leave by Miss Poole (Morning Herald, 2 Mar.).] "The chorusses are not such as would give satisfaction to a musical amateur: in this department we must endeavour to be content with noise and bawling, instead of sense and science:--they are not, however, worse than usual" (Monthly Visitor, Mar.1797, p. 262)

Event Comment: By Permission of the Lord Chamberlain. Benefit for The Choral Fund, instituted for the Relief of their decayed Members, their Widows, and Orphans. Conductor-Dr Arnold. Leader of the Band-Barthelemon. Organ-Smart Jun. Principal Instrumental Performers-Lindley, Harrington, Holmes, Smart and Sons, Betts, Hyde, Lyon and Son, Boyce, Kauntze, French, Oliver, Dickenson, Manessier, Piercy, King, Brandi, Cubit and Son, Hoffman, Charlton, Gillingham, Buckinger, Nerborn, Wilcox, Mawby, Purryer, Barrett, Windsor, Jackson, Forrett, Fenny, Flack and Son, Dressler, Zwingman, &c. Double Drums-Jenkins; The Chorus will be selected, and assisted by the Young Gentlemen of the Westminster Choir. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. 2nd Gallery 1s. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin precisely at 7:00. A Subscription of One Guinea will entitle the Subscriber to Five Box Tickets. Tickets to be had at the principal Music Shops, and of the Secretary, J. Vale, Old Bethlem, Bishopsgate. Tickets and Places for the Boxes to be had of Rice, at the Theatre

Event Comment: "Salomon led the band for the first time these two years, in place of Viotti, who has been sent out of the country, under the authority of the Alien Bill. He left town yesterday" (Times, 5 Mar.)

Event Comment: By Command of Their Majesties. "George? Dance, @R. A., was at Covent Garden on Wednesday evening when his musical Composition of One and All [for a band] was performed before his Majesty, with much applause" (Joseph Farington,@Diary [26 Cct.], 1922, I, 243). Receipts: #628 8s. 6d. (620.17.6; 7.11.0)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A New Oratorio, in Two Parts, the only one composed in this Country nearly these 30 years. Afterpiece: An Ode, in One Part. The Band will wholly consist of Professors of the first eminence, and the Chorusses will be numerously supported by the best Performers in London, assisted by the young Gentlemen of his Majesty's Chapels, and of Westminster Abbey. The music entirely new, composed by Thomas? Busby, who will take the Piano Forte. Boxes 7s. Pit 4s. 1st Gallery 3s. 2nd Gallery 2s. Grove: [Busby] worked at a setting of Pope's 'Messiah' for some years, and it was produced in 1799 with considerable success as 'The Prophecy.

Event Comment: Benefit for Sga Bossi DelCaro. 2nd ballet: 1st time; composed for the occasion by Dupret; the music by Bossi, composer and leader of the Band at the Opera House. Of Age To-morrow [advertised on playbill of 30 May] is obliged to be deferred on account of the indisposition of Bannister Jun. Morning Chronicle, 30 May: Tickets to be had of Sga Bossi DelCaro, No. 1, Great Suffolk-street, Charing-cross. Receipts: #327 5s. (212.10.0; 61.13.6; 2.18.0; tickets: 50.3.6) (charge: #215 13s. 7d.)

Event Comment: Benefit for the Humane Society. A new grand Commemorative Oratorio [1st time; in two parts], as originally performed by Busby, in aid of the Fund for the Naval Pillar, including the new Music [by Busby: Song and Chorus, From where the sun; Song, To thy brave sons; Recitative and Song, Peace to the soul, Around the ever-honoured urn], introduced in the Grand National Concert, performed the 28th of May, at the Opera House. Leader of the Band-Cramer. Organ-Russell. The performance to be conducted by Busby, who will preside at the Piano Forte. Tickets, at playhouse prices, to be had at all the principal music shops...and of Busby, No. 9, China Terrace, Vauxhall Road. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00. "The words [of Part I] are taken entirely from Gray's well-known Pindaric Ode, The Progress of Poesy," with six introductory lines written by John Gretton andthe concluding stanzas by Thomas Dutton; the text of Part II by Gretton (Dramatic Censor, II, 285-86)