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: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5, by Elizabeth Inchbald. Author of Prologue unknown]: With new Dresses, Scenery, &c. Morning Herald, 4 Apr. 1797: This Day is published Wives as they Were, and Maids as they Are (2s). "The Manager of Covent Garden Theatre gives Mrs Inchbald #500 for her new Comedy" (True Briton, 13 Mar.). Receipts: #302 13s. 6d. (295.9.0; 7.4.6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; CO 3, by Prince Hoare. Larpent MS 1159; not published; synopsis of plot in Universal Magazine, May 1797, p. 364]: Overture and rest of Music composed and selected by Shield. Harp by Weippert. The new Scenery by Richards. Books of the Songs to be had in the Theatre. Receipts: #172 10s. 6d. (169.6.6; 3.4.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Palmer. [1st piece originally acted in 1767 as Dido. Prologue by David Garrick.] 3rd piece [1st time; INT 1, consisting of 3 tales in verse inserted into a continuous verse narrative]: As intended for Representation at the Theatre Royal, Hay-market, by George Colman Ynger. Morning Herald, 3 Apr. 1797: This Day is Published My Nightgown and Slippers (2s. 6d.). True Briton, 25 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Palmer, No. 39, Great Pulteney-street, Golden-square. Receipts: #491 16s. (152.3; 77.16; 11.16; tickets: 250.1) (charge: #232 18s. 6d.)

Event Comment: 2nd piece [1st time; M. INT 1, by John Rose. Larpent MS 1167; not published]: A Mask, in honour of the approaching Royal Nuptials [the Marriage of Charlotte Augusta, Princess Royal of Great@Britain to Frederick William, Prince of Wurttemberg, on 18 May]. The Musick entirely new by Attwood. The Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations entirely new. Books of the Interlude to be had in the Theatre. Receipts: #254 15s. (166.15.0; 84.6.6; 3.13.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr and Mrs Knight. 3rd piece: Illumination, &c. as 18 May. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. True Briton, 1 May: Tickets to be had of Mr and Mrs Knight, No. 47, Rathbone Place. Receipts: #221 9s. 6d. (93.0.6; 17.8.6; tickets: 111.0.6)

Event Comment: The Last Night of the Subscription Operas. Boxes for the Remainder of the Season to be taken at th Office of the Theatre

Event Comment: Benefit for Wathen. 3rd piece: By permission of the Proprietor of the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden. True Briton, 2 June: Tickets to be had of Wathen, No. 2, Frith-street. Receipts: #358 1s. (54.12.0; 61.13.6; 3.14.0; tickets: 238.1.6) (charge: #212 5s. 6d.)

Event Comment: Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. 2nd Gallery 1s. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00 [same throughout season.] Places for the Boxes to be had of Rice, at the Theatre. Printed by T. Woodfall, No. 104, Drury Lane [this first on playbill of 26 June, and thereafter]

Event Comment: 3rd piece [1st time: MF 2, by Samuel James Arnold. Larpent MS 1176; not published; synopsis of plot in Morning Herald, 27 June]: The Musick, with an Hibernian Medley Overture, by Dr Arnold. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By permission of the Proprietor of the Theatre-Royal, Covent-Garden. [Philipps was from cg.

Event Comment: Benefit for Elliston [whose 1st appearance as Othello was at Bath, 8 July 1797]. Afterpiece: By permission of the Proprietors of the Theatre-Royal, Drury-Lane. True Briton, 30 Aug.: Tickets to be had of Elliston, No. 3, Frith-street, Soho

Event Comment: "In point of voice, there are few women so highly favoured as Mrs Litchfield [whose 1st appearance at cg was on 27 May 1796]; through every gradation of tone it is perfect, combining strength and melody, it is equal to any task which the theatre (large and extensive as it is) can impose. It is suited to the firmness of declamation, the tenderness of pathos, and the burst of indignant passion" (Monthly Mirror, Oct. 1797, p. 226). The Epilogue is not listed on the playbill, but "The audience would not be satisfied without the original Epilogue [by Miles Peter Andrews], which Lewis came forward and spoke" (True Briton, 21 Sept.). [Afterpiece in place of The Poor Soldier, advertised on playbill of 18 Sept.] Receipts: #225 0s. 6d. (195.14.0; 29.6.6)

Event Comment: On account of the Indisposition of the lady who was to have appeared in the character of Lady Emily, The Heiress [advertised on playbill of 5 Oct.] is deferred till Saturday next. Afterpiece [1st time; MF 2, by Walsh Porter. Larpent MS 1180; not published]: With new Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. The Songs, Duetts, &c. composed by Kelly. The Overture by Shaw. Books of the Songs to be had in the Theatre. [Master Elliot had previously appeared in the oratorios at cg.] Receipts: #368 14s. 6d. (239.10.0; 127.16.6; 1.8.0)

Event Comment: Ballets: By Permission of the Proprietor of the King's Theatre. 1st ballet: Composed by Didelot. Receipts: #269 0s. 6d. (267.19.6; 1.1.0)